SACRAMENTO, California — In a collaborative effort led by the Sacramento Police Department, along with support from multiple law enforcement agencies, a covert operation known as “Operation Trick-or-Treat” has yielded significant results in the fight against sex trafficking and solicitation.
This operation saw the apprehension of close to 60 individuals involved in various illicit activities, such as solicitation and sex trafficking. The joint efforts of the Sacramento Police Department, the FBI, Folsom, West Sacramento, and Vacaville police, in conjunction with the advocacy group Communities Against Sexual Harm (CASH), proved instrumental in this significant bust.
Veteran prosecutor Maggy Krell, an authority on combating the escalating issue of sex trafficking, emphasized the continued need for vigilance, stating, “There is still a ton of work that needs to be done, and there are still far too many vulnerable young people who are being exploited right now.”
Krell, the author of the book titled “Taking Down Backpage: Fighting the World’s Largest Sex Trafficker,” also highlighted the evolving tactics of traffickers, noting, “It used to be there was the creepy van in the neighborhood, but now the creepy van has a cute puppy profile picture on Instagram. They are liking your posts and sliding in your DMs. Kids really need to be wary of that, especially teenagers.”
The operation was not solely focused on apprehending perpetrators but also aimed at assisting and rehabilitating sex workers caught in the cycle of exploitation. Terri Galvan, representing CASH, spoke about the support offered to those involved in the sex trade, stating, “We have therapy. We have long-term housing assistance, so we can help somebody in a moment, a moment of crisis. And we can help somebody walk into a completely different life.”
The Sacramento Police Department underscored its commitment to addressing the demand side of human trafficking-related crimes, as well as aiding commercial sex workers in accessing essential resources designed to provide stability and guide them towards a life free from sexual exploitation.
If you or someone you know is a victim of sexual trafficking and solicitation, contact the Women’s Rights Group for legal help and support.
