New Castle County- A two-day multi-agency operation was conducted recently at locations throughout northern New Castle County, which focused on prostitution enforcement, for the purpose of addressing the issue of human trafficking.

The initiative, which was a joint partnership between the Delaware State Police, Department of Homeland Security, State of Delaware Attorney General’s Office, Department of Probation and Parole, FBI and the State of Delaware Victim Services Unit, took place on Thursday, January 17, and Monday, January 21, 2019.

Over the course of the two day operation 42 individuals were arrested, with 45 criminal charges being filed. A total of 40 individuals were arrested for prostitution related offenses, 24 of which were charged with Prostitution and 16 for Patronizing a Prostitute. There were also 28 active warrants cleared.

Various internet sites to include CityX and Skip the Games were utilized as modes of communication for initiating and arranging the eventual face to face meetings, which ultimately led to the arrests.

In addition to the prostitution related arrests, two subjects were charged with drug related offenses in which 2.85 grams of heroin, .5 grams of crack cocaine, 10 prescription pills and $2,696.00 in suspected drug money was seized.

Once in custody, all the subjects arrested for prostitution were interviewed by both Victim Service specialists and detectives, for the purpose of gaining possible human trafficking intelligence information, but also to provide appropriate resources to include substance abuse counseling, as well as health and social service counseling. As a result of these post-arrest interviews, one subject was identified as a victim of human trafficking. She is now receiving services appropriate for her current situation and circumstance.

The goal of the operation was not strictly punitive in nature, rather it was an opportunity to identify and offer services to potential victims of human trafficking while at the same time sending a message to the public that prostitution is not a victimless crime. It is a significant quality of life issue that has far reaching effects.

For more information regarding the issue of Human Trafficking click on the following links:

https://www.dhs.gov/blue-campaign

http://www.theiacp.org/humantrafficking

To report suspected human trafficking:

1-866-347-2423

To get help from the National Human Trafficking Hotline:

1-888-373-7888

or text HELP or INFO to

BeFree (233733)

If you or someone you know is a victim or witness of crime or have lost a loved one to a sudden death and are in need of assistance, the Delaware State Police Victim Services Unit/Delaware Victim Center is available to offer you support and resources 24 hours a day through a toll free hotline 1800 VICTIM-1. (1800 842-8461).  You may also email the unit Director at debra.reed@delaware.gov.

You can follow the Delaware State Police by clicking on:

Delaware State Police Official Web Site

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Presented by Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Michael Austin

Released: 012319 1110

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