DENTON COUNTY (WBAP/KLIF News) – 11 people were arrested in Denton County last weekend in connection with a human trafficking operation.
The bust was part of a joint operation between the Denton County Sheriff’s Office, the Lewisville Police Department and the Department of Homeland Security.
The Denton County Sheriff’s Office’s Lieutenant Orlando Hinajosa said after the sweep, investigators learned that the people were allegedly willing participants in prostitution and not human trafficking victims.
“We had volunteers from Traffick 911 doing the interviews. They have training along with our deputies to see if the people are victims of human trafficking. If they are found to be a victim, then we would offer the help needed to get them out of this cycle,” he said.
Despite the outcome of this investigation, Hinajosa said human trafficking is a big problem in North Texas.
“Not only in Denton County but everywhere. We need the people’s help in trying to locate victims of human trafficking and with the people’s help we will be able to give them the help needed to get them out of this vicious cycle,” he said.
This particular investigation lead to the arrest of eight women for prostitution, two men for compelling prostitution and one man for prostitution and possession of a controlled substance with the intent to deliver.
They have been identified as Meeliasha Escobedo, Kearis Morris, Alycia Red, Leneicia Griffin, Jordan Hussey, Sundee Hunter, Alexus Harden, Jasmine King, Micah Freeman, James Allen, and Craig Childres.
Hinajosa said if any of these people had been human trafficking victims, they would have been offered the type of help many victims are just too afraid to ask for.
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