The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) announces the results of several human trafficking mitigation and rescue operations conducted during January 2024, which is National Human Trafficking Prevention Month.
During that month alone, Special Agents from DPS’ Criminal Investigations Division (CID), along with local and federal partners, conducted 12 operations focused on human trafficking. These operations resulted in the rescue of 52 trafficking victims, including nine children.
“Human trafficking continues to pose a major threat to the safety of our communities,” said DPS Director Steven McCraw. “These despicable acts are taking place in every state, every day, yet they often go unnoticed, which is why we are asking Texans to be more vigilant in order to stop the vicious cycle.”
The human trafficking mitigation and rescue operations were conducted in cities across the state including Dallas, Houston and Midland.
Juvenile Victim from Kansas City Involved in Sex Trafficking Recovered in Dallas
DPS Special Agents worked jointly with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in an effort to recover a juvenile victim who was being sex trafficked in the north Texas area. Special Agents responded to a location near Dallas with several hotels and apartments. Law enforcement eventually recovered the juvenile victim at a local fast-food establishment. The juvenile victim was taken to a hospital for evaluation and medical services.
Human Trafficking Operation in Houston Results in the Recovery of Four Victims
DPS Special Agents participated in a multi-agency operation hosted by TABC in Houston, designed to target juvenile victims of human trafficking by soliciting online advertisements seeking payment for sexual activity. During the operation, 11 individuals were recovered with four making outcries as victims of human trafficking and/or sexual assault.
Victim Recovery Operation in Houston Leads to the Recovery of 14 Human Trafficking Victims; Three Suspected Traffickers Arrested
DPS Special Agents conducted a victim recovery operation along with a demand reduction operation in conjunction with additional agencies in Houston. The operation was designed to target juvenile victims by soliciting online advertisements seeking payment for sexual activity. During the multi-day joint operation, a total of 14 human trafficking victims were recovered. Four of the victims were confirmed juveniles. Three suspected male traffickers were also arrested, and eight males were arrested for solicitation of prostitution.
