A three-day, multi-agency operation led by the Montgomery County Precinct 3 Constable’s Office and Houston Police Department has resulted in numerous arrests related to child exploitation and human trafficking. Officials announced the results during a press conference Friday morning.
The operation, conducted in collaboration with the Human Trafficking Rescue Alliance (HTRA) and the Houston Metro Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force, targeted online predators and traffickers, resulting in arrests for a variety of offenses, including child trafficking and online solicitation of a minor.
Constable Ryan Gable detailed the outcomes of the operation, which included:
- 7 arrests for prostitution
- 3 arrests for promotion of prostitution
- 4 arrests for online solicitation of a minor, including one registered child sex offender
- 1 arrest for child trafficking
- 1 juvenile victim rescued
“These joint efforts are about our children’s safety and security,” Gable said. “Each charge, arrest, and life affected serves as a powerful reminder of what we can achieve when we unite to safeguard the most vulnerable members of our society.”
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Commander Salaam Zia of the Houston Police Department’s Vice Division praised the collaboration between the agencies and the results they achieved together during Operation Safe Haven.
Zia emphasized the importance of HTRA in dismantling trafficking networks.
”When we join forces, we not only strengthen our ability to uphold justice and ensure public safety, but we send a loud and clear message to both survivors and traffickers. To the survivors: Our collaboration says you are not alone. We see you, and we are working tirelessly to protect you and hold those that have harmed you accountable. And to the traffickers: We make it clear there will be no safe haven for you.”
HPD Lieutenant Freddie Croft described how the operation targeted juveniles: ”Juveniles are the most vulnerable and the most innocent among us. So if we’re going to focus our resources at the Houston Police Department, our goal is to find those victims. Typically, the way we operate and the tactics that we use, we’ve done a really good job finding juveniles. And typically, when we find them, they’re also accompanied by a trafficker.”
Croft explained that investigations remain ongoing:” The arrests made are just the beginning of the investigation. Typically, these traffickers, especially the ones that tend to lure and exploit juveniles, have other victims. We continue to investigate to identify additional victims and bring offenders to justice.”
Donna Hansen, Chief of the Special Victims Unit with the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office, reaffirmed the commitment to holding offenders accountable.
”We appreciate that [HPD] has given us a knowledge base for how to target traffickers for the right types of cases. And we are committed to seeking justice on behalf of every single victim of human trafficking. And we will see to it that these offenders are put where they belong.”
Officials reiterated that collaboration across agencies was key to the operation’s success. Gable acknowledged the Department of Public Safety, Texas Rangers, and local law enforcement agencies, as well as NGOs like the YMCA and The Landing, for their contributions.
Officials urged parents and community members to remain vigilant and proactive in safeguarding children from online predators. Croft pointed to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children as a vital resource for families.
“For anybody looking for resources from the child exploitation side, children are targeted online all the time by offenders,” Croft said. “Talk to your children, understand their online habits, and stay engaged.”