Operation leads to arrest of pastor, sex offender, former officer and contractor

Numerous arrests have been made following a multi-agency operation to locate individuals suspected to be involved in sex trafficking, according to a press release issued on Wednesday by District 27 District Attorney Jack Thorp.

Thorp said the effort required the cooperation of many law enforcement agencies across eastern Oklahoma, including the Sallisaw Police Department. Other agencies included the District 27 Drug and Violent Crime Task Force, the Attorney General’s Human Trafficking Response Unit, Westville and Stilwell Police Departments, Northeastern State University Police Department, Le-Flore County Sheriff’s Office, Locust Grove Police Department, as well as officers from the Springdale Police Department.

“It is very encouraging to see all of these dedicated law enforcement officers come together in an effort to curtail these terrible crimes,” Thorp said.

Prior to beginning the operation, officers received additional training on multiple aspects of sex trafficking, including ways to assess and analyze social media posts for indicators of sex trafficking behavior and how to identify potential suspects or victims.

The joint operation was then conducted at a hotel in Tahlequah. In a single day, at least four people were arrested, including a convicted sex offender, pastor, former police officer, and an individual who worked as a contractor for the U.S. military.

In addition to those arrests, a trafficking victim was located and victim advocates were able to speak with her and offer assistance.

“While it is disturbing that sex trafficking is so prevalent throughout our communities, I am incredibly proud of how well each of the law enforcement agencies were able to work together with a common goal,” Thorp said. “As these officers conduct additional operations in the future, I am confident we can begin to curb this cycle of abuse, arrest many of those involved in trafficking, and get justice for their victims.”