The Middle District of Louisiana is marking National Human Trafficking Prevention Month by joining the Departments of Justice (DOJ) and Homeland Security (DHS) in efforts to combat human trafficking and support victims. The observance aims to raise public awareness, intensify operational actions, and strengthen cooperation 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 said, “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 collaboration: “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 Wall added: “I am thankful that this President has made the prosecution and elimination of human trafficking such an important priority. Our office will continue to aggressively support that mission.”
In January 2025, President Donald J. Trump signed Executive Order 14159 which directed the formation of Homeland Security Task Forces (HSTFs) in every state with goals including dismantling criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), as well as ending cross-border smuggling operations with a focus on crimes involving children.
Since January 20, 2025, several indictments have been made by the Middle District of Louisiana:
- Maurilio Lazcano-Vargas (45), Zabdi Guzman-Diaz (40), both from Mexico; Edyn Efrain-Arevalo (52), from Guatemala; all charged with conspiracy related to sex trafficking offenses. If convicted they face between fifteen years up to life imprisonment along with fines and supervised release.
- Jesus Lopez (45), Zaira Lopez-Oliva (24), Kirsis Castellanos-Kirington (30), all Honduran nationals charged similarly for sex trafficking-related crimes.
- Josmar Jesus Zambrano-Chirinos (25), a Venezuelan national present without authorization pleaded guilty for sex trafficking by force or coercion; his conviction carries significant prison time as well as registration requirements.
These cases involve investigations by multiple agencies including U.S. Department of Homeland Security – Homeland Security Investigations, Social Security Administration Office of Inspector General, Louisiana Bureau of Investigation, East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office; prosecutions are led by Assistant United States Attorneys Edward Warner, Stephen Vick; Special Assistant United States Attorney Allen Ross; Alan Stevens; Benjamin Anderson.
In January 2026 DHS and DOJ increased resources for anti-trafficking initiatives through prioritizing investigations at numerous federal/state locations—especially border states—coordinating with FBI squads for victim recovery efforts; partnering with AMTRAK/FAMS for public reporting campaigns using posters/QR codes; distributing funds recovered from Backpage.com towards victim restitution via DOL-OIG; organizing seminars/outreach events at schools focusing on HSTF roles.
On August 25th 2025 HSTFs launched nationwide operations leading into a "September Surge" resulting in over 3,200 arrests within just over six weeks—including members from major criminal organizations such as Sinaloa Cartel (1,041 arrests), CJNG (856), MS-13 (641), Tren de Aragua (456)—as well as seizures totaling more than $3 million cash plus approximately 91 metric tons of narcotics.
