ST. PAUL — Ten people are facing felony charges following their arrests for attempting to solicit minors for sex. 

Investigators with the Minnesota Department of Public Safety’s Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA)-led Minnesota Human Trafficking Investigators Task Force and the St. Paul Police Department conducted an operation July 30 and 31 in St. Paul. During the operation, suspects chatted by text and phone with undercover agents and investigators who posed as minors or as sex buyers. Investigators arrested the suspects as they arrived at an arranged meeting place for an encounter.

Suspects were booked into the Ramsey County Jail. A list of arrestees is available here. Charges are expected in the coming days. Ten people were booked on probable cause felony solicitation of a minor under 18 years of age for prostitution. Three female victim/survivors were recovered from a potential sex trafficking situation. 

“Helping three people exit the throes of a potential sex trafficking situation to begin the healing process and regain control of their lives is why we are passionate and committed to this work,” BCA Superintendent Drew Evans said. “We will remain in lockstep with our law enforcement partners to rid our state of this reprehensible sex crime and support victim/survivors."

“These 10 arrests are a true testament to the hard work of St. Paul police investigators, the Ramsey County Violent Crime Task Force and the BCA Human Trafficking Task Force,” said St. Paul Police Major Crimes Deputy Chief Jeff Stiff. “Let it be a message that we will hold you accountable for the crimes you commit in St. Paul.”

Many additional agencies lent resources to this enforcement effort, including the Tribes United Against Sex Trafficking (TRUST). The BCA’s victim relations coordinator also provided services during victim/survivor recoveries.

If you or someone you know is in immediate danger of being trafficked, call 911. To report a suspected trafficking situation, call the BCA at 877-996-6222 or email bca.tips@state.mn.us. Minnesota youth who are trafficked or engage in prostitution are viewed as victims and survivors, not criminals under the Safe Harbor Act. If you or someone you know is being trafficked, you may be eligible for supportive services, safe housing and more. Call the Day One Hotline at 866-223-1111 or visit dayoneservices.org for more information.

The Minnesota Human Trafficking Investigators Task Force (MNHITF) provides statewide law enforcement response for the Human Trafficking National Hotline. Victims/survivors can get help by calling the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 888-373-7888 or text HELP to 233733. 

The following agencies are members of the Minnesota Human Trafficking Investigators Task Force: Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office, Minneapolis and St. Paul police departments, and the Ramsey County Attorney’s Office.