Jerome F. Gorgon, Jr., U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Michigan | Department of Justice
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Michigan has announced its observance of National Human Trafficking Prevention Month, joining the Departments of Justice (DOJ) and Homeland Security (DHS) in efforts to combat human trafficking and support victims. The initiative focuses on increasing operational efforts, public awareness, and partnerships among federal, state, and local agencies.
Attorney General Pamela Bondi stated, “This Department of Justice is working tirelessly alongside our partners to dismantle human trafficking networks, help survivors, and protect vulnerable populations from being exploited. Under this administration we have seen an increase in human trafficking prosecutions, and during Human Trafficking Prevention Month we reaffirm our commitment to prosecuting traffickers and encourage Americans to report instances of human trafficking in their communities.”
United States Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem commented on the administration’s approach: “Through the Homeland Security Task Force, President Trump is taking the fight directly to human trafficking networks and disrupting their modern-day slave trade while seizing their assets and arresting their kingpins and foot soldiers. The American people should not have to live in fear of cartels, gang bangers, and foreign terrorists preying upon the most vulnerable among us. The Homeland Security Task Force is the largest coordinated campaign against transnational criminal organizations in U.S. history, and I’m proud to co-lead it with Attorney General Bondi.”
FBI Director Kash Patel added: “During Human Trafficking Prevention Month, the FBI reiterates our work with local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies and national victim-based advocacy groups in joint task forces to protect our communities across the country. The horrifying reach of human trafficking spreads far and wide. Homeland Security Task Forces are fighting back to disrupt these perilous networks and put a stop to that reach. The FBI will continue our investigations and bring justice to those exploited by human traffickers.”
U.S. Attorney Jerome F. Gorgon Jr. said: “Federal law enforcement at the DOJ and DHS are freedom fighters. They are abolitionists fighting the modern-day slave traders who profit from human misery. We are proud to fight alongside them.”
President Donald J. Trump signed Executive Order 14159 in January 2025 directing that HSTFs be established nationwide with goals including dismantling criminal cartels involved in smuggling or trafficking activities—especially those involving children—and enforcing immigration laws.
Since January 20, 2025, several actions have been taken by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Michigan:
- Kevin Giles was convicted for sex trafficking two minors and one adult.
- Lucas Pelletier was indicted for alleged offenses involving a minor victim; trial is set for March.
- Varsalles Phillips faces charges related to sex trafficking minors as well as firearm possession; trial is set for March.
- Devan Cook was indicted on charges including sex trafficking a minor; trial is set for February.
- Jahbez James and Nikodia Davis were indicted for transporting a minor across states; Davis also faces additional charges.
- Whitney Williams pleaded guilty regarding transportation related to prostitution.
In January 2026, DOJ and DHS increased resources aimed at combating human trafficking through ongoing investigations prioritized across federal locations—particularly border states—and collaboration with various agencies such as AMTRAK.
A major effort began August 25th when HSTF launched operations resulting in over 3,200 arrests within just over six weeks nationwide—including members from multiple transnational criminal organizations—as well as seizures of weapons, cash totaling more than $3 million dollars (USD), narcotics weighing approximately 91 metric tons.
The Department of Justice has also reported securing convictions against traffickers using violence or coercion across numerous states; seizing $15 billion connected with international labor scams; pursuing extraditions; ordering restitution payments exceeding one million dollars each for some victims; launching a Remission Portal for survivors seeking compensation from cases linked with Backpage or CityXGuide platforms; conducting national crackdowns on traffickers; integrating prosecution experts into task forces addressing organized crime threats; as well as announcing new grant funding opportunities supporting victim services.
