Springs human trafficking bust nets 23 arrests

Colorado Springs police say 23 people were arrested during a human trafficking crackdown between Oct. 5 and Oct. 10, 2015.

The sting was part of Operation Cross Country, which is a nationwide effort to disrupt human trafficking for sexual exploitation.

“We’ve recovered here, girls who’ve worked in Chicago, New York, Houston, Dallas, New Orleans, all over the country before arrested here in Colorado Springs,” said Mark Comte with Colorado Springs police human trafficking unit.

Colorado Springs police say that as part of the local operation, eight men were arrested for soliciting a child prostitute when they were led to believe they were agreeing to pay for sex with a 13-year-old girl.

“We confirmed with them that they were about to engage in sex with a 13 year-old girl and that’s what they were looking for,” said Comte.

For the second year in a row, Denver leads the nation when it comes to recovering victims.

When a child is rescued, the non-profit Sarah’s Home in Colorado Springs is trained to help.

“Human trafficking is a really scary and dangerous place for our girls. They come from corrosion and fraud and violence. So part of what we offer is a safe and stable place where they can learn to live,” said Kate Rix with Sarah’s Home.

Rix says the psychological recovery can take anywhere from months to years.

For more information on Sarah’s Home, click here.

The following arrests were made during the bust:

8 for Soliciting a Prostituted Child, 2 for Attempt to Influence a Public Official.
1 for Operating a Massage Parlor without a License.
9 for Soliciting for Prostitution.
2 for Pimping / Pandering.
3 Adult recoveries (prostitutes agreeing to intervention services).
3 Adult prostitution arrests.

Note: KRDO.com originally reported 26 people had been arrested. It turns out three of the arrests were duplicates.