By John Dobberstein, Editor
A joint human trafficking operation this week in Broken Arrow resulted in 4 arrests and the recovery of 4 victims who were referred to support services, authorities said.
The 2-day operation by the Broken Arrow Police Department and Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics’ Human Trafficking Unit resulted in the arrest of Joseph Emery Fusilier, 52, Jared Lorenzo Hill, 42, Michael Ray Thorn, 67, and Adam Wayne Colver 44, for solicitation of prostitution, OBN said. A firearm was also seized by authorities.
On Wednesday, investigators focused on identifying and recovering potential victims of human trafficking and connecting them with, “trauma-informed victim service providers.”
Law enforcement personnel worked alongside advocacy organizations to provide immediate access to resources including emergency shelter, counseling services, medical assistance and long-term support options, OBN said.
“Investigators emphasized a victim-centered and trauma informed approach throughout the operation, recognizing that individuals involved in commercial sex may be experiencing force, fraud, coercion, trauma, addiction, or other vulnerabilities associated with human trafficking,” said OBN Public Information Officer Mark Woodward.
On Thursday, officers shifted focus to a “demand reduction initiative” targeting individuals seeking to purchase commercial sex acts. Agents and Investigators conducted enforcement actions, “aimed at addressing the demand that contributes to the commercial sex market and the exploitation often associated with it,” which resulted in the arrests, Woodward said.
Woodward noted that human trafficking investigations and demand reduction operations, while often related, “are distinctly different law enforcement efforts.”
Human trafficking investigations focus on identifying victims and investigating individuals who exploit or profit from the trafficking activity. Demand reduction operations specifically target those attempting to purchase commercial sex to reduce the market conditions that can contribute to exploitation and trafficking.
OBN and BAPD said they remain committed to collaborative enforcement efforts, victim-centered investigations, and partnerships with community organizations and certified victim service providers to combat human trafficking in Oklahoma, including The Spring emergency crisis shelter in Tulsa and Domestic Violence Intervention Services in Tulsa.
While human trafficking can impact communities across the country, BAPD Chief Lance Arnold said operations like this are, “part of a proactive effort to protect victims, address criminal activity through the criminal justice process, and work collaboratively with local, state, and community partners to keep communities safe. Citizens and victims can get information, anonymously report suspected human trafficking and access recovery assistance services by visiting OBN’s “YOU ARE NOT ALONE” human trafficking Resources page on the OBN website at https://www.obndd.ok.gov/programs-services/human-trafficking. They can also call or text the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888.
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