Zachary T. Lee Acting United States Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Virginia
The Western District of Virginia has announced its participation in National Human Trafficking Prevention Month, aligning with the Departments of Justice (DOJ) and Homeland Security (DHS) to strengthen efforts against human trafficking. The district aims to intensify operations, increase public awareness, and collaborate across various government levels to disrupt trafficking networks and support victims.
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 added, “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 commented on ongoing cooperation between agencies: “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.”
Acting United States Attorney Robert N. Tracci for the Western District of Virginia said today: “The Western District of Virginia will continue to work with our partners at the FBI, DHS, and other federal and state agencies to combat human trafficking, protect victims, and bring to justice those who line their pockets by exploiting and dehumanizing others. Human trafficking is modern day slavery. It has no place in a civilized society, and we are dedicated to its eradication in the Western District of Virginia.”
In January 2025, President Donald J. Trump signed Executive Order 14159 which directed key officials including the Attorney General and Secretary of Homeland Security to establish Homeland Security Task Forces (HSTFs) nationwide aimed at ending criminal cartel activities—including cross-border smuggling—with a focus on offenses involving children.
In early 2026, both DHS and DOJ increased resources toward combating human trafficking by prioritizing investigations at multiple federal locations—particularly border states—and working closely with FBI squads for victim recovery efforts. They also partnered with AMTRAK as well as Federal Air Marshal Service (FAMS) for broader law enforcement presence on trains; distributed reporting materials; ran advertisements regarding financial recoveries for victims; organized seminars at educational institutions; all focused on supporting HSTF’s mission.
HSTF launched a significant operational surge starting August 25, 2025—referred to as September Surge—which included over 400 operations nationwide within a span of just over six weeks. This resulted in more than 3,200 arrests targeting major organized crime groups such as Sinaloa Cartel members (1,041 arrested), Cártel Jalisco Nueva Generación (CJNG) members (856 arrested), MS-13 members (641 arrested), Tren de Aragua members (456 arrested), along with substantial seizures including over one thousand weapons, more than $3 million in cash assets seized, as well as approximately 91 metric tons of narcotics.
