In a collaborative effort to combat human trafficking, the Denton County Sheriff's Office Human Trafficking Unit recently organized a two-day trafficking operation. The operation involved law enforcement personnel from the Denton County Sheriff's Office, Tarrant County Sheriff's Office, Department of Homeland Security, and the Arlington Police Department.
The first day of the operation was dedicated to "Demand Suppression." Investigators targeted individuals who, through online communications, had arranged meetings for the purpose of obtaining sexual acts in exchange for money. The operation resulted in the arrest of eleven suspects for Solicitation of Prostitution. Out of the eleven arrested, ten were from Denton County, and one was from Wise County.
The focus shifted to "Victim Outreach" on the second day of the operation. Undercover investigators posed as potential buyers on social media sites, engaging with individuals offering sexual services. Upon meeting, the individuals were detained and interviewed by investigators to identify potential victims of human trafficking and those responsible for trafficking. Following the interviews, potential victims were allowed to meet with counselors from nonprofit organizations specializing in aiding human trafficking victims.
As a result of the operation, twelve individuals were identified as possible victims of human trafficking. These individuals chose to accept the services offered by nonprofit organizations involved in the operation, including Refuge for Women, Unbound Now, Bob's House of Hope, and Kainos International.
