San Antonio, TX: Last month, the Texas Department of Public Safety apprehended multiple individuals believed to be connected to human trafficking, including a resident of San Antonio.
In January, the department apprehended 53 individuals for solicitation of prostitution, which is considered a state jail felony, as stated in a DPS media release. Additionally, five individuals have been apprehended and face charges related to prostitution.
Authorities apprehended a 25-year-old individual named John Nanez from San Antonio.
DPS reported that several operations took place in the West Texas region during human trafficking awareness month. The operations were aimed at apprehending individuals who exploit and harm victims of human trafficking, as well as apprehending those suspected of involvement in human trafficking through online solicitation of sexual acts, according to DPS.
“The operation’s success can be attributed to the exceptional collaboration among various agencies dedicated to fighting human trafficking,” stated Jose Sanchez, DPS West Texas Regional Director. “The community’s assistance is crucial in combatting the increasing issue of human trafficking. We urge everyone to report any suspicious activities related to this matter.”
According to the latest data from the U.S. Department of Justice, a total of 2,027 individuals were referred to U.S. attorneys for human trafficking offenses in 2021.
The Department of Justice reported a significant increase in the number of people prosecuted for human trafficking over the past decade. From 2011 to 2021, the figures more than doubled, rising from 729 to 1,672 cases.
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