The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Mississippi participated in National Human Trafficking Prevention Month, joining the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to emphasize ongoing efforts against human trafficking. The observance aims to increase public awareness, enhance operational actions, and strengthen partnerships among federal, state, and local agencies to disrupt trafficking networks and protect 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 said, “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.”
Scott F. Leary, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Mississippi commented: “Law enforcement must remain vigilant in combating human trafficking. If we relax, for even a moment, our most vulnerable fall victim to the most abhorrent of crimes. Human exploitation can never be viewed as just another crime. It is unconscionable. We work for the citizens of the Northern District of Mississippi. I want them to know that, historically, we have had great success prosecuting human traffickers and that we will continue to root out and push for the harshest punishment for these perpetrators. Human trafficking will remain a top priority for this office.”
Victims or those who suspect someone may be a victim can seek help from local law enforcement or contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline at https://humantraffickinghotline.org/, call 1-888-373-7888 or text BeFree (233733). In Mississippi specifically, reports can be made via email at ReportHT@dps.ms.gov or by calling 601-987-1671; suspected cases involving minors must also be reported online at https://reportabuse.mdcps.ms.gov/ or by phone at 1-800-222-8000.
Following Executive Order 14159 signed by President Donald J. Trump in January 2025—which directed nationwide establishment of Homeland Security Task Forces (HSTFs)—the DOJ and DHS increased resources dedicated to anti-trafficking operations throughout January 2026.
These efforts include prioritizing investigations across multiple federal locations with emphasis on border states; coordinating recovery operations through FBI squads; partnering with AMTRAK for public outreach; distributing funds recovered from illicit websites like Backpage as restitution; organizing seminars at schools; among other initiatives.
The HSTF officially launched its major operations on August 25, 2025 with a campaign resulting in over 3,200 arrests within just over six weeks—including members from several international criminal organizations—and significant seizures of weapons, currency totaling more than $3 million dollars, as well as large quantities of narcotics.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office continues urging residents in northern Mississippi to report suspected incidents so authorities can take action against this ongoing crime affecting both global communities and local neighborhoods.
