The Wichita Police Department has announced the arrests of 16 people in connection with an anti-human-trafficking operation that also involved state and federal agencies.
The arrests were made as part of “Operation Archangel,” an effort of the Department of Homeland Security, the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, the Kansas Highway Patrol, Hutchinson police, and the Kansas Attorney General’s office. The operation also involved the organization ICT SOS and the Kansas Department for Children and Families.
On June 17th, decoy officers were used to arrest ten buyers of commercial sex in the South Broadway area. One sex worker was recovered and is now receiving services as part of a criminal justice diversion practice.
On June 18th, detectives from the Exploited and Missing Child Unit arrested a man for aggravated human trafficking and other child sex charges related to an ongoing case with a 15-year-old male victim.
ICT SOS received a tip on an at-risk adult victim at a home near Harry and Oliver, and officers arrested a trafficker and connected a victim with social services.
Six people were arrested at a local hotel on charges including promoting the sale of sex, buying sex, selling sex, and possession of narcotics. Three of the sex workers were diverted from jail after agreeing to speak with advocates.
In all, the operation arrested 11 buyers, one human trafficker, two promoters, one companion and one sex worker.
