30 July 2023
Eleven people were arrested on suspicion of attempting to solicit minors for sex or promoting prostitution in connection with a sex-trafficking sting, authorities announced Saturday.
The sting on Thursday and Friday in St. Paul was led by investigators with the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension’s Human Trafficking Investigators Task Force and the St. Paul Police Department.
During the operation, undercover agents and investigators posed as minors or sex buyers and chatted with the suspects online. After a meeting place was arranged for an encounter, the suspects were arrested and booked into the Ramsey County Jail.
Ten people were booked on suspicion of felony solicitation of a minor under 18 years of age for prostitution. One person was booked on suspicion of felony promotion of prostitution. They are expected to be charged in the next few days.
Four females were recovered from trafficking situations as a result of the arrests.
“We are committed to helping Minnesota’s trafficking victims escape the reprehensible actions of those who would buy or sell them for sex,” BCA Superintendent Drew Evans said in a statement. “Our predatory crimes agents will continue to work with our law enforcement partners and advocates to end this terrible crime in Minnesota.”
“Good police work doesn’t happen without law enforcement coming together, and because of that partnership these individuals can no longer do harm,” St. Paul Police Chief Axel Henry said.
Authorities say if you, or someone you know, is in immediate danger of being trafficked, call 911. To report a suspected trafficking situation, call the BCA at 877-996-6222 or email [email protected].
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