#United States #Minneapolis #OUR RESCUE #We Fight Monsters #Skull Games Solutions

A Landmark Operation Against Human Trafficking

In a significant move against human trafficking, Our Rescue, in collaboration with partners Skull Games Solutions and We Fight Monsters, has executed the first surge operation under the Interstate Justice Coalition (IJC). This operation took place over two days on August 21 and 22, covering four states: Mississippi, Tennessee, Oklahoma, and Arkansas. The initiative signifies a critical step in enhancing the coalition's fight against human trafficking across state lines.

Collaborative Efforts Yield Results

The operation's success is attributed to the close collaboration of various state and local law enforcement agencies, combining advanced training with digital intelligence and coordinated enforcement strategies to target traffickers and support victims. The results from this operation were telling:

• - 32 victims of human trafficking were identified.
• - 26 survivors were safely recovered from exploitation.
• - 12 suspected traffickers were identified, leading to 10 arrests for sex trafficking and 5 other exploiters taken into custody.

Derek Benner, CEO of Our Rescue, emphasized the power of collaboration: "This first surge operation under the Interstate Justice Coalition shows what can be accomplished when law enforcement and nonprofits come together with one mission—protecting the vulnerable. No one organization can stop trafficking alone, so we are grateful for the collaboration of dozens of law enforcement agencies determined to stop this crime."

Training as Foundation for Success

Prior to the enforcement actions, officers underwent advanced human trafficking training led by Skull Games Solutions. Founder Jeff Tiegs noted, "Training is the foundation of successful counter trafficking operations. By equipping officers with advanced counter trafficking and Applied OSINT skills, we immediately rolled into enforcement actions that identified dozens of survivors and put traffickers behind bars. This is what the Interstate Justice Coalition was built for—training combined with coordinated action."

The operation included the deployment of law enforcement teams across various locations. High-profile arrests included a registered sex offender continuing his exploitation of victims and another who was distributing narcotics to potential trafficking victims. Remarkably, law enforcement also managed to recover an infant whose caretaker fled arrest.

A Unique Partnership

For We Fight Monsters, the multi-state nature of the operation showcased the coalition's distinct value. Co-Founder Ben Owen remarked, "The alliances we've forged here in the Mid-South shouldn't even exist. Many of us spent years running from these very agencies when we were trapped in addiction and crime. Now those same officers stand shoulder to shoulder with us – willing to bleed in the trenches to pull women and kids out of the grip of predators. That's what redemption looks like."

Johnie Carter, Director of the West TN Violent Crime and Drug Task Force, added, "Being able to stand in solidarity with those that have walked the walk and lived to recover gives us a unique approach on breaking the vicious cycles of addiction, trafficking, and abuse. This alliance is nothing short of a miracle."

Essential Partnerships

This landmark operation owes much to the partnerships formed among several organizations and law enforcement agencies. Significant contributions came from various entities, including:

• - Law Enforcement Partners: Mississippi Bureau of Investigation; Desoto County Sheriff's Office; several police departments across the states involved.
• - Survivor Service Partners: Organizations such as the Hope Foundation and Restore Corps provided crucial support for victims.

Furthermore, special recognition went to DataPilot for delivering essential digital forensics that ensured no evidence was overlooked during the operation.

A Model for Future Operations

The Interstate Justice Coalition stands as a prototype for enhanced collaboration between nonprofits and law enforcement in combating trafficking. The organizations involved are committed to operational support, survivor care, and preventative measures against exploitation. Our Rescue aims to end sex trafficking and child exploitation globally, while Skull Games Solutions brings expertise in intelligence gathering to the forefront in these efforts. Meanwhile, We Fight Monsters remains dedicated to reclaiming neighborhoods for vulnerable populations through community alliances.

In conclusion, the first surge operation executed by the Interstate Justice Coalition illustrates what is possible when diverse organizations unite for a common cause. The coordinated strategy not only resulted in the identification and recovery of several trafficking survivors but also laid the foundation for future anti-trafficking initiatives throughout the United States.