World Games Human Exploitation Task Force announces arrests

 1636051441 
1658161984
Exterior of the Jefferson County Jail

A number of the people arrested in connection to human trafficking were booked into the Jefferson County Jail.

Miranda Fulmore, WBHM

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security Investigations says 34 arrests were made for commercial sex and six arrests for human trafficking during The World Games, which ended Sunday in Birmingham. The task force also made eight arrests of adults seeking online enticement of a minor and/or traveling to meet a minor for sex.

“I think for an event this size … or the Birmingham metro area, I think from a numbers perspective, we’re probably well up there [in comparison to human trafficking at other Sear 1 events],” said Doug Gilmer, Resident Agent In Charge for DHS. “We felt like we were going to be busy. I just don’t think we anticipated just how busy we would be. It’s been taxing.”

He says The World Games Human Exploitation Task Force has worked “pretty much non-stop” since June 23. A number of local, state, and federal agencies make up the command center including criminal intelligence at the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, the DHS Center for Countering Human Trafficking, and the Alabama Fusion Center, a state-level agency that shares information related to trafficking.

Gilmer said they saw an increase in what they believed was online recruitment leading up to The World Games. This led to multiple undercover operations that resulted in 34 arrests of commercial sex buyers.

“We’ve identified networks that are operating here that are also operating in other states,” he said. “So really cross-country from California to the East Coast.”

They also “rescued” multiple trafficking victims, Gilmer said. Officials described them as ranging from minors and pre-teens to victims in their 20s and early 30s. Gilmer said some are from the area, while others traveled from out of state specifically for The World Games. The task force also identified and/or provided services to:

  • 15 adults and two minors that are sex trafficking victims
  • 11 minors that are victims of online sexual exploitation and sextortion
  • seven missing and endangered minors
  • seven adults and four minors that are labor trafficking victims

“Not every case, not every operation that we’ve conducted has been geared towards necessarily arresting somebody,” he said. “A lot of the operations that we’ve conducted the last few weeks have actually been identifying potential victims of human trafficking. To us, that’s incredibly important.”

Carolyn Potter is CEO at the WellHouse, a Christian residential living facility for female survivors of trafficking. She said they’ve had four referrals from law enforcement in connection to The World Games. The majority were sex trafficking victims and one was a victim of labor trafficking.

Gilmer said the cases will now work through the legal system. They’ll be a mix of state and federal cases. He said prosecutors will see those cases through. Officials say it can take months to years to prosecute trafficking cases.

“I think the biggest takeaway is not the numbers, it’s the fact that people need to realize that this type of activity takes place here. Whether they want to believe it or not, it does,” Gilmer said. “It’s big business. It’s financially motivated. And as long as there is a demand by the consumer, by the sex buyer, it’s never going to stop. We’re never going to end it as long as there’s a demand for it.”

 

Poll: In tight race, voters split on whether Harris intends to carry out her promises

What the latest numbers say and what to look for as the election comes to a close.

Birmingham’s newest voters: how the latest generation is approaching politics

While Alabama is not a swing state, these students represent an up and coming generation whose voices have not yet been heard in the political world. And this demographic of voters has already proven that they can make an impact. 

It’s the last day of the 2024 campaign. Here’s where Harris and Trump are going

Vice President Harris ends her day with a concert on the "Rocky Steps" in Philadelphia. Former President Trump will wrap up in Grand Rapids, Mich. — where he also closed out his 2016 and 2020 races.

Moldova’s pro-Western president wins vote overshadowed by Russian meddling claims

Moldova’s pro-Western President Maia Sandu has won a second term in a pivotal presidential runoff against a Russia-friendly opponent, in a race that was overshadowed by claims of Russian interference.

Meet the conservative women who are keeping their votes for Kamala Harris a secret

Polls show a historic gender gap in the 2024 election. Democrats are reminding conservative women: votes are a secret and they can vote for who they want, including Vice President Harris.

Anxious at the Portland airport? Beni the Llama is here for you, spreading joy

The gentle animals are part of Portland International Airport's effort to counter travel stress with soothing elements from nature.

More Crime Coverage