Human Trafficking Operation Foiled in St. Joseph

The St. Joseph Police Department, Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt and the Missouri State Highway Patrol announced that a successful human trafficking operation was completed late last night at two St. Joseph truck stops – Bucky’s and Love’s Travel Stop.

My Office’s Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force conducted a successful human trafficking operation resulting in 6 victims and 2 children being rescued and 3 arrests - Missouri Attorney General Schmitt

The joint operation, organized by the St. Joseph Police Department, the Buchanan County Sheriff’s Office, the Missouri State Highway Patrol and Missouri Attorney General’s Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force, resulted in 3 arrests, with an additional arrest pending, and the rescue of 6 victims – 5 female and one male.

Two children, a two year old and an infant, were also rescued. The victims were offered victim services, including food, lodging, onsite medical services, counseling and drug rehabilitation.

“Last night, my Office’s Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force, in coordination with multiple law enforcement agencies, conducted a successful human trafficking operation at two truck stops in St. Joseph, resulting in 6 victims and 2 children being rescued and 3 arrests,” said Attorney General Schmitt. “This operation was successful because of cooperation between my Office, the St. Joseph Police Department, the state highway patrol, the Buchanan County Sheriff’s Office, and 13 other agencies and departments. This unprecedented success should send clear a message to traffickers: you are not welcome in Missouri, and you can’t hide any longer.”

The Attorney General’s Office Human Trafficking Task Force consists of law enforcement and victim service providers from around the state working together to combat human trafficking, rescue victims and make our communities safer.

16 different agencies participated in the operation, including the St. Joseph Police Department, Missouri State Highway Patrol, Attorney General’s Office, Kansas City Police Department, Buchanan County Sheriff’s Office, Johnson County Sheriff’s Office, Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Marshals, Department of Corrections, Probation and Parole, State Parks, and others.

Human trafficking can happen anywhere, even in our community. Recognizing key indicators of human trafficking is the first step in identifying victims and can help save a life. Here are some common indicators adapted from the National Human Trafficking Resource Center to help recognize human trafficking:

*Appearing malnourished

*Showing signs of physical injuries and abuse

*Avoiding eye contact, social interaction, and authority figures/law enforcement

*Seeming to adhere to scripted or rehearsed responses in social interaction

*Lacking official identification documents

*Appearing destitute/lacking personal possessions

*Poor physical or dental health

*Checking into hotels/motels with older males, and referring to those males as boyfriend or “daddy”

*Not allowing people to go into public alone, or speak for themselves

If you see someone who may be exhibiting these signs you can call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888. You can also report suspicious trafficking signs and situations to the Clay County Sheriff’s Office or Kearney Police Department.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts Contributed to this Story