Human Trafficking in Alaska

HUMAN TRAFFICKING IN ALASKA Detective/TFO Leonard Torres

History of APD working trafficking cases Current task force What is trafficking Other crimes often associated in a trafficking case AGENDA Complexities associated with trafficking cases Current trends Recent case examples Unaddressed work

HUMAN TRAFFICKING 1. Forced Labor 2. Sex Trafficking or Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children (CSEC)

WHAT IS SEX TRAFFICKING The recruitment, harboring, transportation, provision, or obtaining of a person for the purpose of a commercial sex act. Induced by force, fraud, or coercion OR Under the age of 18 - federal Under the age of 19 - state

SEX TRAFFICKING IS NOT Consensual sex for drugs or alcohol. Receiver keeps drugs. Consensual sex for money. Receiver of money keeps money. Sharing proceeds with partner; no force, fraud, or coercion. Prostitution is not trafficking and as such is not commonly investigated.

HISTORY OF APD WORKING HT INVESTIGATIONS IN ALASKA 2004 Attended training at the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children first introduction to trafficking vs prostitution 2005 APD Vice Unit created 2005 APD Vice Unit and FBI partnered to work HT. APD and FBI investigative partnership has continued to present. 2009 First large scale prosecution for trafficking Don Webster (aka Jerry Starr) over 20 victims identified. Webster sentenced to 35 years and $3.6 million restitution order 2012 FBI became lead fulltime investigative agency for HT in the state of AK. APD assigned one full-time TFO to the task force In addition to investigations - APD/FBI team has conducted over 150 community/LE presentations to date to include presentations to the legislature leading to changes in state law

CURRENT TRAFFICKING TASK FORCE FBI Crimes Against Children and Human Trafficking Task Force 1.5 Full time APD TFO s 1 Full time FBI Agent 1 FBI Intel Analyst Often partner with APD Cyber Crimes for operations Partner with AST as needed for rural operations

TYPICAL VICTIM CHARACTERISTICS A vulnerability Low self-esteem Mental health issues Drug or alcohol use/addiction Naivet or innocence Relationship issues (eg DV) Particular cultures or ethnicities Family issues Age/teenage rebellion Someone seeking to leave current situation Prior victimization (as a child or adult)

OTHER CRIMES OFTEN INVESTIGATED/CHARGED IN A TRAFFICKING CASE Production of child pornography Sexual assault Distribution/possession of child pornography Sexual abuse of a minor (SAM) Assault Felon in possession (gun related charges) Money laundering Kidnapping Distribution/possession of drugs Homicide Child enticement/exploitation

COMPLEXITIES OF HT INVESTIGATIONS Victims often not compliant - history of mental health and complex traumas, conditioned to not cooperate or speak to the police, fearful, drug/alcohol addictions, unable to be identified, difficulty finding after initial contact, etc. Full victim disclosures often require multiple interviews Necessary to maintain ongoing victim contact throughout case Time consuming and time sensitive Resources: Currently two fulltime investigators and one part-time Prioritizing cases to be worked Specialized training and experience needed to become a HT investigator

CURRENT HT TRENDS Lower-level traffickers who prey on drug addicted/homeless females (predominantly heroin). Victims usually observed working the streets Gang related trafficking (mostly internet-based prostitution). Members mostly from out of state Traffickers of minors also produce/distribute CP of victims Utilizing female HT victims to mule drugs to Alaska Increased number of victims with significant MH or age-related issues Traffickers targeting Alaska Native females Traffickers coerce/force victims to commit or partake in other crimes

RECENT ANCHORAGE SEX TRAFFICKING CASE Multiple traffickers part of an Anchorage based gang (Slide Gang) with association to Blood Gang out of California, Nevada and Alabama. Adult victim ( bottom ) identified by a minor victim at MYC. Initial victim interview led to identifying other minors both in and out of MYC. Also, led to the arrest of 9 individuals for violations such as sex trafficking of a minor, production of child pornography, felon in possession of guns, and drugs. Eight minor victims were recovered. Main players looking at sentences of 40 years to life.

RECENT RURAL TRAFFICKING Referral from AK Cares 15-year-old girl from Kotzebue currently residing in Anchorage Follow up CAC interview specific to trafficking and other federal CAC statutes Disclosed SAMs began at age 10 by uncle . Subject gave her money, drugs, alcohol in exchange for sex Federal vs state prosecution? Charged federally for sex trafficking of a minor Currently awaiting sentencing

TASK FORCE INVESTIGATIONS TO DATE To date the APD human trafficking taskforce officers have investigated or assisted in approximately (these are full investigations/prosecutions) 30 traffickers arrested and 85 trafficking victims identified in open cases/prosecuted cases 58 arrests of suspects of other child exploitation related crimes and 50 victims identified in open cases/prosecuted cases Trafficking Referrals (primarily minors) 2020 we had approximately 100 referrals 2021 we are on track to be well over 100 referrals Challenges initial investigation reveals not trafficking and locating victims.

HT TASK FORCE PRIORITIES Trafficking and exploitation of minors Adult sex trafficking with force/violence Asian massage parlors Labor trafficking