Be Nice. For a month-long operation, it's very representative of the vast number of people that are addicted to pornography, and what I believe is an epidemic in our country," said Jennifer Hohman, an advocate who helps women and children who have been exploited in sex trafficking. Threats of harming another MENTONE, Texas On a December day in 2021, Loving County Judge Skeet Jones, 71, climbed atop an oilfield tank surrounded by wide-open Texas desert dressed in a business suit and toting a pair of binoculars, hoping to spot an elusive black bull. ", Perez added that this sting operation proves that sex trafficking is prevalent everywhere. Awareness of sexual trafficking and exploitation have grown immensely in recent years, heightened by a handful of high-profile cases. The latest attempt on July 7 to get enough qualified grand jurors failed for two reasons, he said. This fall, Jones is running unopposed for re-election, but some of his allies, including his sister, are facing challengers for the first time in years, amid heated debate over how the county should be run. Chief Deputy TJ Cruz explained that operations like these are meant to protect public safety and prevent human trafficking. "Many prostitutes are themselves victims of human trafficking," Cruz said. And an operations director of a large hospital network. Federal authorities arrested 46 men in two days after its investigation of sex trafficking cases in North Texas. Baker wrote in the warrant that Jones told him during the interview at the sheriffs office that his understanding of the estray law is that if cattle are not marked, anyone can claim them., Jones told Baker the sheriff had given him permission to take strays to sale as long as they werent marked or branded. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. In 2021, Collin County officials made 18 arrests during 'Operation Safe Halloween' and seized a number of electronic devices used to contact young children. "We have no indication the circumstances of his arrest involved students," Brim said. At Least 36 Dead After Trains Collide Head-on in Greece: Indescribable Tragedy', LIVE RADAR: Severe T-Storm Watch Until Noon, Powerful Storms Forecast for Thursday, The Pandemic Altered Many Things, Including Alcohol AbuseThese Are the Warning Signs, Mickail Dukes, Manifestation of Prostitution Dallas PD, Brandon Froning, Possession of Child Pornography Dallas PD, Justin Peters, Possession of Child Pornography Garland PD, Noah Craver, Possession of Child Pornography Plano PD, Vincent Hammack, Possession of Child Pornography Plano PD, Joshua Drake, Possession of Child Pornography Wylie PD, Michael A. Newhouse, Jr. Authorities in Texas have arrested at least 30 people intending to buy sex and rescued a child over three days as part of an undercover human trafficking investigation Sarah Rumpf is a writer on the breaking news team for Fox News Digital. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Dallas officials said the undercover operation coincides with the Department of Homeland Securitys Blue Campaign to highlight Human Trafficking Awareness Month. DALLAS Twenty-three people have been arrested in relation to an online sex trafficking scheme, Dallas police told WFAA on Thursday. The safety of alleged johns is also a concern for law enforcement. I never, never, ever had a conversation about stray cattle with the judge.. "By targeting those involved in this crime, we hope to disrupt this activity and provide assistance to human trafficking victims by getting them connected to the advocates and resources they need," said Hayes. Nobody's safe? By clicking Sign Up, I confirmthat I have read and agreeto the Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. Amanda Brim, Lewisville ISDs Chief Communications Officer, said Monday that Morrison was placed on administrative leave when the district was made aware of his arrest, and last week, he submitted his resignation. Chance of rain 40%. A high school teacher and football coach. This is one of many operations the Collin County Sheriffs have conducted. or redistributed. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Investigators said the alleged list of crimes ranges from meeting victims to possessing harmful material on electronics. WebLike many other states, Texas police run plenty of sting operations. The men had arranged online to meet at the hotels intending to pay for sex, authorities said. Don't knowingly lie about anyone (Alvarado later told Baker hed checked the bull for markings and brands and there were none. She welcomes the enforcement and glad to see authorities focusing it on those who are often forced to sell their bodies. You can reach her on Twitter at @rumpfsarahc, Get all the stories you need-to-know from the most powerful name in news delivered first thing every morning to your inbox. Updated: 6:26 PM CST February 25, 2023. Bell County residents, who suspect or have knowledge of human trafficking or are in need of assistance themselves, can reach out locally to Aware Central Texas at 254-813-0968, or can nationally report by calling the Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888, or by texting "Help" to 233733 (BEFREE). Jones called up Alan Sparks, 64, the Wheat Ranch foreman, and asked for permission to try to catch the black bull. Roughly a dozen law enforcement agencies participated in the 2-day operation on Jan. 12 and 13 at the Hilton at Southlake Town Square and the Hyatt Regency near Stonebriar Centre in Frisco, Texas. 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Some of these were teachers who have direct access to our children. On Wednesday and Thursday, digital ads were posted to known websites promoting prostitution. A high school teacher and football coach. Those who traffic victims are the scourge of the earth, and we will continue to target those responsible for the trafficking and those who solicit sex from them.. The law went into effect earlier this month. Last year, a 15-year-old girl disappeared from a Dallas Mavericks game at American Airlines Center and was found a few days later in Oklahoma City; three people were arrested on charges of human trafficking. Some individuals are in custody but charges are pending.Additional names and charges are to be released. On Feb. 22-23, digital ads were placed on known websites promoting prostitution. 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