Arizona operation recovers 2 minors authorities believe were sex trafficking victims

A partnership between federal and local authorities led to the rescue of two juvenile girls believed to be victims of sex trafficking, authorities announced Sunday.

One of the girls was a 16-year-old who had been missing since June 11, according to the U.S. Marshals Service. The agency joined the search after the Phoenix Police Department asked for help on July 16.

Federal deputies found online information about the girl and people suspected of exploiting and transporting her for sex trafficking.

Investigators tracked her Wednesday to a residence in Tolleson, where marshals and members of the Arizona WANTED Violent Offender Task Force safely recovered her.

Second girl discovered while authorities worked to rescue the first

During the operation, investigators encountered a second girl who initially “presented herself as an adult,” according to the U.S. Marshals Service. They later found out that she was a minor who had left her family but had not been reported missing.

Authorities believed this girl was also a victim of commercial sexual exploitation and human trafficking.

Deputy marshals notified the Phoenix Police Department’s Human Exploitation and Trafficking Unit. An on-call detective interviewed the second girl while investigators contacted her family and arranged for her safe return.

U.S. Marshal Van Bayless said the girl and her family agreed to seek an immediate assessment and services designed to help suspected sex-trafficking victims.

“This investigation began with the search for one endangered child and ultimately led us to a second juvenile who was also in an extremely vulnerable situation,” Bayless said in the announcement.

What’s next in this sex trafficking investigation?

The Phoenix Police Department’s Human Exploitation and Trafficking Unit is investigating alleged criminal activity involving the exploitation of both juveniles, including whether suspects facilitated commercial sex acts or created, possessed or distributed child sexual abuse material.

“Persistent investigative work and close coordination among our deputies and local and state partners allowed us not only to bring both juveniles to safety, but also to connect them with professionals who understand the profound trauma caused by trafficking and exploitation,” Bayless said.

The U.S. Marshals Service did not announce the criminal charges related to this recovery effort.

Bayless said authorities are focused on connecting the girls with support services while investigators examine their suspected exploitation.

“Our work does not end when a child is located,” he said. “It ends when that child is safe and can begin recovering.”

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