BCA: 43 arrested on trafficking, solicitation charges during Super Bowl week
(KMSP) - More than 40 people are facing possible felony charges after they tried to solicit children for sex or for trafficking during Super Bowl week in Minnesota.
According to the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, investigators conducted a sting operation Jan. 26 through Feb. 3 and booked 36 people for soliciting a minor. They also booked seven people on probable cause for sex trafficking or promoting prostitution; 14 women were rescued from trafficking situations.
During the sting, suspects chatted with undercover agents and investigators on several social media platforms, and investigators arrested the suspects when they arrived at an arranged meeting place.
Most of the suspects are from the greater Twin Cities area, and all were booked into the Ramsey, Scott or Washington County jails.
If you or someone you know is in immediate danger of being trafficked, call 911. To report a suspected trafficking situation, call the BCA at 877-996-6222 or email bca.tips@state.mn.us.
The BCA's Human Trafficking Task Force provides statewide law enforcement response for the Human Trafficking National Hotline. Victims can get help by calling the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888 or send the text HELP to 233733.