The joint operation of the NTTTF and the Collin County Constable’s Office Precinct 4 ran from Jan.11-12. It included partners from 10 federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies across the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex to address the increasing demand of human trafficking and sexual exploitation.
“Human trafficking has no place in modern society,” said HSI Dallas Special Agent in Charge Lester R. Hayes Jr. “Those who fuel the demand through the purchase of commercial sex are as liable for the harm caused by those who coerce their victims into this lifestyle.”
Texas is the first state in the nation to prosecute sexual solicitation as a felony, which is a step towards curbing the demand for commercial sex.
“Our Office remains steadfast in its dedication to protecting the most vulnerable members of our community from predators involved in human trafficking,” said Joe Wright Collin County Precinct 4 Constable.
During the operation, undercover agents and officers interacted with several targets who arrived for their sexual encounter without the agreed amount of money for their transactions, leading to the possibility of further exploitation or potential violence. Those arrested were booked on felony violations pending disposition in the State of Texas judicial system. No victims were arrested or involved in the operation.
Law enforcement agencies participating included: HSI Dallas Special Response Team (SRT), Collin County Sheriff’s Office, Bedford Police Department, Cooke County Sheriff’s Office,, Dallas County Sheriff’s Office, Dallas County District Attorney Investigators, Dallas Police Department, Lake Worth Police Department, Midlothian Police Department, Texas National Guard, and Texas Department of Public Safety.
Human trafficking is a global crime that trades in people of all genders, ages and backgrounds and exploits them for profit.
Human trafficking generally takes two forms: sex trafficking in which a commercial sex act is induced by force, fraud or coercion, or in which the person induced to perform such act has not attained 18 years of age; or the recruitment, harboring, transportation, provision or obtaining of a person for labor or services, through the use of force, fraud or coercion for the purpose of subjection to involuntary servitude, peonage, debt bondage or slavery.
HSI encourages the public to report suspected sex trafficking through its toll-free tip line at 866-347-2423. Investigators staff the tip line around the clock. From outside the United States and Canada, callers should dial 802-872-6199. Hearing impaired users can call TTY 802-872-6196.
For more news and information on HSI’s efforts to aggressively investigate human trafficking, follow us on X, @HSI_Dallas.
HSI is the principal investigative arm of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), responsible for investigating transnational crime and threats, specifically those criminal organizations that exploit the global infrastructure through which international trade, travel, and finance move. HSI’s workforce of more than 8,700 employees consists of more than 6,000 special agents assigned to 237 cities throughout the United States, and 93 overseas locations in 56 countries. HSI’s international presence represents DHS’ largest investigative law enforcement presence abroad and one of the largest international footprints in U.S. law enforcement.
