Arkansas State Police troopers assist human trafficking victims in Jonesboro, identifies suspected trafficker
JONESBORO, Ark. – Officials with Arkansas State Police said Monday that authorities offered services to five women believed to be victims of human trafficking in Jonesboro.
According to ASP officials, special agents and members of the Arkansas Human Trafficking Council conducted “Operation HART” earlier this month. Officials said that 30 victims were identified as part of the recovery operation and four women accepted the assistance.
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Special agents said that services including food, lodging, medical services, counseling services and drug rehabilitation were offered to victims.
State troopers said that a suspected trafficker was identified as part of the operation.
ASP Director Colonel Mike Hagar said the authorities are working together to combat human trafficking in Arkansas.
“The Arkansas law enforcement community and our victim service partners are on a mission to end human trafficking in Arkansas,” Hagar said. “We are working to give law enforcement the specialized training they need to embrace victims with compassion while they free them from perpetrators of this heinous crime.”
Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin released a statement commending the coalition of organizations in the operation.
“I applaud the efforts of this coalition of organizations, which represent both law enforcement and victim services groups,” Griffin said. “It is only through this kind of intentional collaboration that we can make a real difference in the fight against human trafficking in Arkansas.”
In September 2023, ASP officials said a similar operation was conducted in Little Rock, where 12 victims were offered services, and 10 men were detained.
Anyone with information on human trafficking is asked to contact the Arkansas Human Trafficking Council at reportht@asp.arkansas.gov or the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 888-373-7888.
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