BELLEVUE, WI (WTAQ) – Authorities in Brown County are releasing the results of a recent operation aimed at combating human trafficking.
The Sheriff’s Office, in conjunction with the Cook County Sheriff’s Office in Chicago, De Pere Police, Green Bay Police and Ashwaubenon Public Safety took part in the 16th National Johns Suppression Initiative, which ran from July 25th to Aug. 26th.
The operation resulted in 19 arrests in the county, as well as Brown County Sheriff’s Office making additional arrests on its own.
“Know that we are continuously engaging in operations to halt human trafficking and the exploitation of others,” said Chief Deputy Todd Delain.
One of those arrests was a Michigan man and the rescue of a human trafficking victim.
Delain, said investigators also sent 409 warnings to those they were unable to arrest.
“We want to deter individuals from getting involved in it on the demand side. We want to arrest and really bring those who are trafficking to justice, and at the same time help those who need to find a new path in life.”
During the operation, undercover officers posted online ads.
When investigators could not arrange a meeting with the suspects, a deterrence message was sent to them via text or email.
The message made it very clear to the offender that offering to pay someone for sexual contact is a crime and can also have negative, long-term effects on the victims.
“You know a lot of these guys out here are getting robbed and assaulted, but they are not reporting it because who is going to report it when a lot of these guys are married,” said Sgt. Matt Wilson Human Trafficking Investigator.
He said this year, the list of the kinds of people getting involved in this kind of activity was full scale.
“Anywhere from 20-years-old to 60-years-old. It included both married and divorced and many had steady jobs in the community.”
Delain says he hopes the messages will make potential buyers think twice before soliciting victims of human trafficking.
“If you are a sex buyer, buyer beware because you may be talking to a law enforcement officer who wants to put you in jail.”
