Department of Justice

The Department of Justice enforces federal laws, seeks just punishment for the guilty, and ensures the fair and impartial administration of justice.

47 arrested in California crackdown on violent street gangs
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47 arrested in California crackdown on violent street gangs

ByEyes on Trafficking News

FRESNO, Calif. (AP) — California authorities Friday announced the arrest of 47 suspected gang members accused of drive-by shootings, murder, assaults and funding their illicit activities in the Central Valley through prostitution rings and the sale of guns and narcotics. A five-month investigation into violent criminal street gangs in Fresno County culminated Thursday with a…

Nine Members and Associates of Nationwide Sex Trafficking Enterprise Indictment Unsealed
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Nine Members and Associates of Nationwide Sex Trafficking Enterprise Indictment Unsealed

ByEyes on Trafficking News

Defendant Instructed Enforcer: “If She Dares Fight Back, Beat Her More Viciously. Get Some Results from the Beating.”  A 20-count indictment was unsealed today in federal court in Brooklyn variously charging Siyang Chen, Siyu Chen, also known as “Ban Ban,” Bo Jiang, Meizhen Song, also known as “Die Die,” Rong Rong Xu, also known as…

Conducting Anti-Trafficking Work Using a Racial Equity Lens
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Conducting Anti-Trafficking Work Using a Racial Equity Lens

ByEyes on Trafficking News

Recently, there was a request for information made by the US State Department’s Office to Combat Trafficking in Persons. The Senior Policy Operating Group (SPOG) asked for input from key stakeholders and community members on how it can advance racial justice and equity in work combatting human trafficking. We’re glad this request was made, and…

ATEST Recommendations on Improving Racial Equity in Federal Anti-Trafficking Programs
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ATEST Recommendations on Improving Racial Equity in Federal Anti-Trafficking Programs

ByEyes on Trafficking News

March 15, 2022 • 5:09 pm • Terry FitzPatrick  March 15, 2022 Dr. Kari Johnstone Acting Director Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons (J/TIP) U.S. Department of State Via email Re: Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government Docket Number: Public Notice: 11648 Dear Dr. Johnstone: Thank you…

Louisiana Governor’s Office Selects Lighthouse Data Platform to Help Combat Human Trafficking Statewide
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Louisiana Governor’s Office Selects Lighthouse Data Platform to Help Combat Human Trafficking Statewide

ByEyes on Trafficking News

The Louisiana Governor’s Office of Human Trafficking Prevention (OHTP) and the Louisiana Children’s Trust Fund have awarded a grant to Allies Against Slavery to leverage Lighthouse as a powerful new tool in the state’s data-driven strategy to prevent human trafficking and address the needs of survivors. “Louisiana is taking a lead in the fight against human…

NCMEC Parent CONNECT Child Safety Discussion series: Responsible Use of Social Media
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NCMEC Parent CONNECT Child Safety Discussion series: Responsible Use of Social Media

ByBilly Joe Cain

This is a great place for parents to begin their understanding of social media and how they can start conversations with their children.

Sex trafficking problem entrenched in Montana, officials say
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Sex trafficking problem entrenched in Montana, officials say

ByEyes on Trafficking News

BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — A woman made a call from a Billings motel room sometime in 2016. She called her family, telling them that over the past several days a man had forced her to be raped for money by other men in Billings, Missoula and Salt Lake City. The man controlling her was Terrance Tyrell…

Human Trafficking: The Intersection of Race, Gender, and the Law: The City Club of Cleveland
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Human Trafficking: The Intersection of Race, Gender, and the Law: The City Club of Cleveland

ByBilly Joe Cain

Human trafficking, often categorized by sex and labor trafficking, is widespread in the United States. Victims of human trafficking can come from any background, however according to the U.S. Department of Justice, 94% of sex trafficking victims are female, 40% are Black, and 24% are Latinx. And in South Dakota, where Native American women are only 8% of the population, they represent 40% of sex trafficking victims. These statistics are staggering.

Traffickers abusing online technology, UN crime prevention agency warns  
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Traffickers abusing online technology, UN crime prevention agency warns  

ByEyes on Trafficking News

Research conducted by the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) shows how victims are being targeted and recruited via social media and online dating platforms, where personal information and details of people’s locations are readily available.