Surprise, Scottsdale police arrest 42 for human trafficking

The Surprise Police Department’s Special Victim’s Unit partnered with the Human Exploitation and Trafficking Team from Scottsdale Police Department on a two-day task force focused on identifying, confronting and reducing sex trafficking-related crimes in the Valley.

“Operation March Sadness” brought together officers, detectives, crime analysts and victim advocates to investigate and arrest offenders, while also offering services and help to victims of sex trafficking, leading to 42 arrests of suspects from across the state.

Those arrested included the following:

• 3 suspects arrested for luring or attempted sexual conduct with a minor
• 39 suspects arrested for prostitution

One of the suspects arrested is a registered sex offender.

This operation was made possible by the work and cooperation between involved agencies as part of a nationwide effort by law enforcement to eliminate human and sex trafficking.

Those who have information about human and sex trafficking, or know a victim of trafficking, contact your local police department and the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 888-373-7888, or humantraffickinghotline.org.