Protocols for a Multidisciplinary Response to Juvenile Sex Trafficking SGT. JOHN FISHBAUGHER, ROCHESTER POLICE DEPARTMENT-STREET CRIMES UNIT

Rochester Police Department’s History with Sex Trafficking  Rochester Police Department implemented the Street Crimes Unit. (SCU)  SCU conducts first undercover operation targeting prostitution.  RPD gets the support from the Olmsted County Attorney’s Office on prosecuting “john” cases and begin diversion programs for persons arrested for prostitution.  SCU conducts first undercover operation targeting human/sex trafficking at an Asian Massage Parlor  2011-SCU charges a trafficker for the first time in RPD history.  SCU rescues first juvenile victim of sex trafficking

Rochester Police Department’s History with Sex Trafficking  Mandatory fee’s and “john” school implemented by the Olmsted County Attorney’s Office for all buyers of trafficking victims.  Begin working with Olmsted County Victim Services on providing services for all victims of sex trafficking  2014-Olmsted County Victims Services is chose to represent the SE MN Safe Harbor Region with a Regional Navigator.  Olmsted County Human Trafficking Task Force is formed.

Rochester Police Department’s History with Sex Trafficking  2014 to present:  Presentations on the topic of traffic to multiple L.E. Groups, NGO, Govt. Organizations, Faith and Community Based Groups.  Have worked with Olmsted County Victim Services, SE MN Regional Navigator, Olmsted County Attorney’s Office, Olmsted County Probation and Olmsted County Social Services with coming up with a procedure and protocol when dealing with juvenile and adult victims of sex trafficking.  “John” letter is implemented after community concern about the unheard victims of trafficking  Since May 2014 SCU has arrested:  15 traffickers  31 suspects for offering to hire someone under the age of 15 for prostitution  47 suspects for offering to hire someone over the age of 18 for prostitution  Have referred approximately 60 victims of trafficking for services

OJP Grant  Grant combatting Sex Trafficking in SE MN  Working with outside agencies  Training LE/other govt. agencies and educating the public

RPD perspective of multidisciplinary response

Why it works for RPD  We have the same end goal as all the groups we work with.  Provide all victims the opportunity to live a healthy productive life in society away from the trafficking world by assisting them with all our resources available.  Proactively target and prosecute the traffickers and buyers of the victims of sex trafficking.

RPD Procedure  Coming into contact with victims  Field Contact  Undercover operations

RPD Procedure Field Contact  Pre-planned where we receive information of a high risk individual.  Regional Navigator or Olmsted County Victim Services always assist us in the field on these contacts.  Contact is made and our concern is shared with the individual and Victim Services offers their assistance.

RPD Procedure UC operations  Cooperative, requesting help or all juveniles  Will always call Regional Navigator or Olmsted County Victim Services  Will either transport victim to S.E.R.N or OCVS, or they will come to the scene  No charges filed

RPD Procedure UC operations  Non-Cooperative Adult  Will transport to ADC and will be held on probable cause charges.  S.E.R.N or OCVS and Olmsted County Attorney’s Office will be contacted and informed of situation.  Will be held until the next morning where they will meet with S.E.R.N or OCVS prior to arraignments.  They will meet with Cindy Powell from O.C.C. and go through a risk assessment  After this period and they are requesting assistance they will be given that assistance.  They will not go through the arraignment process and are released with assistance provided to them by SERN and OCVS.

RPD Procedure UC operations  They will be charged, but the charges will be later dismissed/adjudicated after they have completed the recommendations by SEMNRN, Olmsted County Attorney’s Office and Olmsted County Victim Services

RPD Procedure UC operations  Some are completely uncooperative and do not want to follow the recommendations of the SEMNRN and Olmsted County Victim Services.  They will go through the normal court proceedings through the criminal justice system.  SCU will continue to monitor their activity to try to assist them at a later date

RPD Procedure  RPD is in close contact with all the agencies/groups we work with monitoring all cases where victims have been identified.   Office Numbers  Cell phone number  One on One contact

Case Study “Asian Tuina Massage”  July 2015 numerous complaints of possible sex trafficking at the Asian Tuina Massage Parlor.  RPD conducted knock and talk and through a language line the law and licensing ordinances where discussed.  August 2015 Olmsted County conducts UC operation an Romantic Asian Massage in neighboring jurisdiction and determined the two females arrested were victims of sex trafficking  December 2015 RPD conducts UC operation at the massage parlor.  After investigation “QW” offered sexual services to UC and she was detained.  SERN Laura Sutherland was contacted

Case Study “Asian Tuina Massage”  Language line interview determined that ‘QW” did not want any services and denied being trafficked with SERN Sutherland and investigators  “QW” was detained and transported to the ADC on PC for Prostitution.  County Attorney was notified on the circumstances  SERN Sutherland contacted IMAA (Intercultural Mutual Assistance Association)

Case Study “Asian Tuina Massage”  “QW” met with IMAA and SERN Sutherland the morning of her arraignment where she requested services.  “QW” provided information which assisted in the investigation of her traffickers to LE  She was released from the ADC and received assistance from IMAA and SERN Sutherland  The charges that “QW” was held on were dismissed

Case Study “Asian Tuina Massage”  Our goals were met  “QW” was rescued from trafficking, given assistance with basic needs, housing and immigration status  The business was shut down locally  Federal Agencies where informed of the operation to assist them in investigating the traffickers on a federal level

Local Partners in this Case  RPD SCU  MNSERN Laura Sutherland  IMAA  Olmsted County Victim Services  Rochester Women’s Shelter  Olmsted County ADC  Olmsted County Attorney’s Office  Rochester Building and Safety

Questions?? Sgt. John Fishbaugher Rochester Police Dept. Street Crimes Unit th Street Rochester MN Office: