Eleven people charged in child sex trafficking sting – Sun Focus

Charges have been filed to 11 of the 19 individuals that were arrested in a two-day undercover sex trafficking sting.

The Anoka County Attorneys Office charged 11 individuals with felony-level counts of electronic solicitation of a child on June 30. According to the Anoka County Attorneys Office, charges are likely for the additional six cases and are currently under review.

The Minnesota Department of Public Safety Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) led the operation with assistance from the Fridley Police Department and the Anoka County Sheriffs Office. The Plymouth Police Department and the Dakota County Sheriffs Office provided additional assistance.

According to the BCA, the sting operation utilized undercover agents and investigators to pose as children on multiple social media platforms between the ages of 13 to 15. Subjects believed they were going to meet with the children for sex. On June 27-29, law enforcement officers took the 11 suspects into custody after agreeing to meet at an apartment complex on East River Road in Fridley, according to the criminal complaints.

Earlier this week, law enforcement from multiple agencies executed a well-organized initiative targeting those with desires to prey upon the youth of our community. Simply stated, this will not be tolerated, said Paul Young, Chief of the Anoka County Attorneys Office Criminal Division. Kudos to all of the law enforcement experience and labor channeled for this investigation.

Young added, While this investigation and these crimes did not involve any real children, we know these are not victimless crimes. This type of crime predatory conduct in search of exploiting children has no geographic boundary and impacts our whole community.

Ten victims of alleged human trafficking ring were rescued, including one juvenile that has been placed in protective custody by Anoka County.

Charged defendants are: Jesus A. Sandoval-Rogel, 27, of St. Paul; Brandon W. Blackwell, 20, of Savage; Andrew J. Eilers, 21, of Clear Lake; Vadim S. Tsvik, 28, of Blaine; Joseph D. Paradise, 28, of Fridley; Arnold K. Leas, 54 of Fridley; Steve Yang, 24, of Chanhassen; Chad J. Eckel, 31, of North Branch; Shane J. Jourdain, 22; Michael D. Griep, 29, of Columbia Heights; Jose A. Vasquez-Reyes, 28, of Cottage Grove.

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Eleven people charged in child sex trafficking sting - Sun Focus