Seven arrested for child sex trafficking in Branson area

(From the Branson Police Department)

The Stone County Sheriff's Office, Taney County Sheriff's Office, and Branson Police Department supported by the Missouri Attorney General's Counter-Human Trafficking Task Force, Prosecuting Attorneys in Stone and Taney Counties, the Missouri National Guard Counter-Trafficking program, Jackson County Sheriff, Ray County Sheriff's Counter-Human Trafficking Task Force and Pathways Project a local survivor advocacy team completed a 2-day initiative in the Branson, MO area. 

This team utilized a blend of victim-centered methods and proactive counter-human trafficking techniques to disrupt the commercial sex industry in the community. 

The results:

Seven predatory buyers were arrested who arrived at meet locations intending to buy sex from law enforcement officers who were posing as victims ranging in age from 14 to 17. Two of their trucks were seized for forfeiture. They were all arrested and charged with sexual trafficking of a child in the 2nd degree.

 
One buyer was arrested for meeting to pay for sex with an adult. He was booked and charged with soliciting prostitution.

We met with 8 potential victims face-to-face for advocacy. No criminal charges were brought against the victims.

During the advocacy, two traffickers were arrested and booked for promoting prostitution. Fentanyl and methamphetamine were seized.

 
During this time, advocates were able to meet with three of the potential victims for a 2nd, follow up meeting for advocacy. Pathways, collaborated with law enforcement teams to serve as a case manager. Numerous services and necessities were delivered to all our potential victims throughout this operation!

Message from Chief Schmitt: The Branson Police Department wants the public to know that we take these crimes very seriously. While the human trafficking suspects and victims were not from the Branson area, that practice is absolutely abhorrent. 

The participating agencies are committed to continued operations to prevent traffickers from considering our Tri-Lakes region as a place to operate. Equally important is the message to potential customers, that our agencies will arrest and charge them for soliciting crimes. I am proud of the teamwork exhibited by all agencies in bringing these criminals to justice and working diligently to help the victims exit that life.