02/25/2025: HT News Bulletin


We monitor and fact-check media coverage of human trafficking and share the top cases with you from each week. A broad view of what is happening across the country can be translated into action, allowing us to collectively change the system and the public narrative. 

California 23-year-old San Jose resident was arrested for trafficking a 16-year-old girl for commercial sex. 
Florida Two men from Guatemala were arrested for sex trafficking two women out of a Palm Beach County apartment operating as a brothel. The women were lured under false promises of employment and coerced to perform sex acts on men daily.
Iowa A woman was arrested for trafficking a 17-year-old from Dubuque, using drugs and alcohol to coerce her into commercial sex. The woman testified against her alleged accomplice, saying she’s a survivor of trafficking herself.
New Mexico Two individuals arrested for recruiting and transporting two minor girls, ages 14 and 15, across state lines to engage in commercial sex. 
Oklahoma A multi-agency law enforcement operation resulted in the arrest of a woman in OKC accused of leading a human trafficking operation in Albuquerque.
Tennessee Eight Venezuelan nationals have been indicted in connection with sex trafficking women from South America in Middle Tennessee. Two of the defendants are accused of having ties to the gang, TDA. 
Texas A Venezuelan national was arrested in San Antonio for allegedly luring women to the U.S. with false promises and forcing them into prostitution in Nashville. Authorities have also determined she has ties to the transnational gang Tren de Aragua. 
Virginia A 67-year-old Rockbridge County man was arrested on multiple charges, including prostitution, keeping or residing a bawdy place, and human trafficking. Evidence of the charges was seized from several locations controlled by Smith, including his residence.


Georgia 12 immigrant workers in Coastal Georgia were granted a settlement in their case against California-based Egreen Transportation Co. for labor trafficking law  violations. The workers, all Chinese and Latino immigrants, were recruited for work at Egreen and were reportedly denied pay for said work in Georgia, California, and New Jersey warehouses.
Georgia Central figure in Operation Blooming Onion sentenced to 12 months, one day in prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit mail fraud for her role in exploiting farm workers. Part of one of the largest U.S. human trafficking cases ever prosecuted by the U.S. Dept. of Justice, the woman profited from the scheme and filed numerous petitions for farm workers who were later abused.
Illinois Family was charged with kidnapping, forced labor, and conspiracy for coercing two minors and a third victim into a years-long labor scheme. The victims were lured from Guatemala to the US with false promises of a better life and education and then forced into domestic servitude. 
New York A Guatemalan national living in Dunkirk pleaded guilty to labor trafficking and kidnapping charges. The man aided Guatemalan migrants in entering the U.S. illegally, secured housing and farm work for them, and coerced their labor by threatening ICE involvement or harm to their families. 
Tennessee TACOnganas owner is under federal investigation after allegations he recruited Mexican workers to come to the US to work for long hours and low wages.
Texas Austin-based Spanish immersion preschool settles in labor trafficking lawsuit. The founder of the private bi-lingual school lured at least 7 foreign-born employees to Texas with promises of lawful status, a decent salary, and a rewarding career, who were then trafficked for their labor.
Washington A Moldovan national pleaded guilty in federal court in Kansas City, Mo., for his role in a forced labor trafficking scheme that victimized workers in 14 states. Employed at Giant Labor Solutions, the man participated in a scheme to coerce foreign workers under the belief that if they refused to work, they would be deported, their H2B work visas would be cancelled, or their family would be penalized. 
Washington Naturalized U.S. citizen from Ukraine, pleaded guilty for his role in an international conspiracy to compel Eastern European women to work in exotic dance clubs in Detroit.



Arkansas Rogers police, along with other agencies as part of a state-wide operation, arrested a man involved with trafficking at three local massage parlors.
Florida Collier County authorities inspected three massage businesses suspected of illicit activity and arrested managers at each location. No prostitution-related charges were listed. However, one arrestee’s charges included permitting sleeping or napping at the establishment, an indicator of human trafficking operations. 
Florida Multiple Bay County massage parlor owners and managers have been arrested for failing to maintain records and regulations required by state law. Several of the targeted parlors were found to be advertising on websites commonly linked to prostitution and human trafficking.
Texas TDLR issues 6-month emergency closure and license suspension for 3 San Antonio massage parlors suspected of prostitution. 
Texas A settlement has been reached in the case against an El Paso massage parlor temporarily closed by prostitution and unlicensed massage practices. In addition to the closure, the owners are barred from operating any massage businesses.
Texas TDLR shut down a massage parlor in Garland after Inspectors found indicators of human trafficking, underwear, pregnancy tests, and an ATM in the lobby. 
Texas A Fort Worth massage parlor has been ordered by the state to close for six months during an investigation of suspected human trafficking.
Utah Four Roy massage parlors have had their business licenses revoked after they were raided following an investigation into human trafficking and prostitution. 


Florida A potential victim was arrested on multiple charges in an undercover investigation into prostitution at a Naples massage parlor.
Georgia Statesboro City Council suspends massage parlor license, and the business owner and potential victim face prostitution-related charges. 
Illinois An Oswego massage parlor will be shut down following the arrest of the business owner and potential victim for suspected illicit sexual activity. 
New York Two potential victims from Flushing were arrested during a massage parlor raid in Huntington. 
New York Potential victims arrested following undercover investigation into prostitution and unlicensed massage operations at 3 New Windsor spas.
South Carolina Potential victim was arrested undercover operation at a Florence massage parlor investigating complaints of sex acts being offered to clients.
Texas Potential victims among the 11 individuals arrested in Lubbock following 6 anti-trafficking operations in various locations around the city. 
Utah Two potential victims were arrested while Lehi PD searched a local massage parlor operating as a front for commercial sex. 

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Florida 44-year-old man sentenced to 20 years after pleading guilty to manslaughter and human trafficking. He used drugs to coerce women into commercial sex and caused one victim’s death due to an overdose. 
Kentucky Louisville woman who operated BDSM business sentenced to 180 months for sex trafficking two female victims. 
 Kentucky Cincinnati man was sentenced to 15 years for operating a trafficking scheme in Ohio and Kentucky. He was arrested after he drove a young woman from Cincinnati to Louisville to engage in prostitution at a Louisville motel.
New York A New York woman sentenced for her role in a sex trafficking conspiracy that exploited two teenagers following an investigation by HSI and local authorities.  The woman conspired with others to coerce two 17-year-old minors to engage in commercial sex acts at a local motel under the influence of drugs and alcohol. 
Ohio 2 Columbus men convicted in major Ohio drug and sex trafficking case. The men locked women inside their residence for days or weeks at a time and forced them to perform sex acts, using drugs and shelters as means of control and manipulation. 


Alaska Fairbanks man sentenced to 12 years after attempting to entice a minor to produce CSAM during an undercover operation involving an officer posing as a 12-year-old girl.
Michigan 31-year-old South Haven man was sentenced to 20 years for traveling to have sex with a 14-year-old girl that he lured from Washington using social media.
Missouri 2 Men arrested for attempting to meet up with a 14-year-old girl for sex acts during an undercover sting operation.
Oregon Portland authorities arrest or cite 30 individuals for commercial sex solicitation in an operation targeting NE 82nd Ave. and NE Sandy Blvd.
Texas Texas DPS made over 20 arrests and rescued four victims in human trafficking operations conducted in the Permian Basin throughout January.
Texas A San Juan man has been arrested after responding to an online ad posted by officers targeting sex buyers.


Georgia Three Thai women have been repatriated after allegedly being held captive in a human egg harvesting ring in Georgia. Police are investigating a human trafficking ring harvesting eggs from Thai women who were brought to Georgia under the guise of being surrogate mothers.
Montana Lawmakers have passed Senate Bill 107, a measure aimed at strengthening education on child sex trafficking and human trafficking prevention in public schools.

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