Savannah, GA- The Federal Human Trafficking Task Force for the Southern District of Georgia (“Task Force"), led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Georgia, announces its recent and on-going efforts to combat human trafficking.
Human trafficking, also known as trafficking in persons or modern-day slavery, is a crime that involves compelling or coercing a person to provide labor or services, or to engage in commercial sex acts. The coercion can be subtle or overt, physical or psychological. Exploitation of a minor for commercial sex is human trafficking, regardless of whether any form of force, fraud, or coercion was used.
The Task Force was created in 2015 as a partnership of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies with a common goal of discovering and rescuing victims of human trafficking while identifying and prosecuting the criminals responsible. The Task Force achieves that goal through heightened law enforcement and victim service presence in the community, through devotion of resources to intensive investigations designed to dismantle trafficking organizations, and by providing training for law enforcement and conducting outreach awareness campaigns in the community. The Task Force also partners with non-government agencies to provide necessary services and basic needs for victims of human trafficking, including counseling, emergency shelter, clothing, and medicine.
The Task Force recently has provided training on ways to recognize and prevent human trafficking to a number of local groups, including: at-risk youth at Park Place Outreach, a youth emergency shelter (June 2017); medical staff at Memorial Hospital in Savannah, Georgia (July 2017); social workers, guidance counselors, school nurses and alternative school staff with the Savannah-Chatham County Public School System (July 2017); the Coastal Area Traffic Enforcement Network, an organization that includes law enforcement from Appling, Bacon, Brantley, Camden, Charlton, Glynn, Jeff Davis, Liberty, Long, McIntosh, Pierce, Tattnall, Ware, and Wayne Counties (Sept. 26, 2017); and medical staff at Southeast Georgia Health System in Camden County (Sept. 28, 2017).
Over the past four years in the Southern District of Georgia, at least 31 human trafficking victims were rescued based on the collaborative efforts of law enforcement and the Task Force. In March 2017, a federal grand jury convicted Timothy Lewis of nine counts of child sex trafficking and eight counts of coercion and enticement of a minor to engage in sexual activity, among other felony charges, in relation to a child sex trafficking ring he operated in the Savannah, Georgia area. That case began as a rescue operation to find a missing 13-year-old girl. The investigation revealed, and trial evidence showed, that Lewis was selling the 13-year-old and seven other children for commercial sex through online prostitution advertisements. Lewis’ sentencing hearing is scheduled for Nov. 30, 2017, and he faces a maximum sentence of life imprisonment for his crimes.
United States Attorney R. Brian Tanner said, “Human traffickers prey on some of the most vulnerable members of our community, and they must be brought to justice. Working together with our law enforcement and community partners can only increase our success in identifying victims and in investigating and prosecuting these cases. We will continue to bring the full power of the federal government to this important fight."
David J. LeValley, Special Agent in Charge, FBI Atlanta Field Office, stated: “The FBI continues to be a steadfast partner with federal prosecutors in the fight against human trafficking as we dedicate significant resources toward the identification, investigation, and presentation for prosecution of those involved and providing the much needed services to those being exploited. It takes many agencies working together to make a difference in eradicating this scourge and the FBI is proud of the part that it plays in addressing this in an aggressive but cohesive manner."
“Human trafficking is quite simply a form of modern-day slavery, and the threats and abuse inflicted on these particular victims only adds to the heinous nature of the crime," said Special Agent in Charge of ICE Homeland Security Investigations Atlanta Nick Annan. “HSI made a record number of more than 2,000 human trafficking arrests in 2016 and rescued more than 400 trafficking victims nationwide, with many of them often hidden in plain sight. HSI will continue our relentless pursuit to investigate and seek prosecution of criminal traffickers while ensuring the victims of this terrible crime are rescued and get the care they need."
If you believe you have information about a potential trafficking situation, call the National Human Trafficking Hotline toll-free at 1-888-373-7888. Anti-trafficking advocates are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to take reports of potential human trafficking. All reports are confidential, and you may remain anonymous. Interpreters are available. The information you provide will be reviewed by the National Hotline and forwarded to specialized law enforcement and/or service providers where appropriate.
To request training for your organization and for additional information, please contact Assistant United States Attorney Tania Groover, U. S. Attorney’s Office, at (912) 652-4422.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
