The day after news surfaced of a human trafficking bust in Butler County, which resulted in seven arrests in Andover, 12 News spoke with authorities involved to learn more about the successful operation that exposed the crime.
Six of the seven males arrested in the case face allegations of aggravated human trafficking and juvenile sex crimes, including sexual exploitation. The combined operation involved the Butler County Sheriff’s Office, the Andover and El Dorado police departments, and the United States Department of Homeland Security.
According to Andover police, this is the first time such a bust has occurred in the neighborhood. Authorities charge the males detained in the case with advocating the sale of sex, a felony. Their actions included preparations to pick up young teenagers for sexual activities.
“Putting people like that in jail, I’m proud of it,” said Andover Police Lt. Michael Shinert.
We divided the operation leading up to the arrests into two parts: First, they arrested a man for allegedly encouraging the sale of sexual relations.
ICT SOS, a Wichita-based nonprofit dedicated to assisting human trafficking survivors, also contributed to the investigation, helping victims identified in the case.
“At the point of contact with victims and survivors, we can say, ‘Hey, here’s what we have to offer,’” said ICT SOS Executive Director Jennifer White. “We can help you get connected with safe housing, we can help you get connected with job skills, if you want to go back to school. We can help you organize those kinds of things.”
On the law enforcement side, officers worked to apprehend prospective cyber predators. Officers began speaking with 150 to 200 people online throughout the operation, ultimately leading to a breakthrough.
“We did the operation and we had six people that solicited minors for sex, but they actually showed up here in Andover to pick up a 15-year-old girl and take them elsewhere for sex,” Shinert said.
However, we foiled their plot.
“Instead of meeting a 15-year-old girl, they were arrested by police,” Shinert said.
