Clay County launches human trafficking task force – KMBC Kansas City

CLAY COUNTY, Mo. — The Clay County Sheriff's Office launched a new task force for child sexual exploitation and human trafficking earlier this month.

The task force works with Homeland Security Investigations alongside several non-profit organizations. The task force will consist of three detectives whose main focus is concentrating on the sexual exploitation of children and adults in Clay County.

The task force was put into motion from May 31 to June 2, during an operation named Operation Blue Ghost. During the operation, the Sheriff's Office's Investigations Division arrested six men who were attempting to meet up with a 14-year-old in Clay County.

The task force will investigate predators seeking children for sex online, focus on adult victims of human sex trafficking and aid in prosecution.

Relentless Pursuit is one of several non-profit organizations that the task force has worked closely with. Led by director Lee Gibson, Relentless Pursuit is a community-centered, faith-based organization whose goal is to end human trafficking.

“The goal is to make Clay County the place pedophiles don't want to come,” Gibson said.

Gibson advises people to broaden their views of kidnapping and sex trafficking beyond that of children and adults. He said victims are typically vulnerable runaway youths who have gotten addicted to drugs or other unfortunate circumstances.

The sheriff's office also seeks to help victims become sober and hold traffickers accountable