As part of National Human Trafficking Prevention Month, U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson is announcing partnership in the Tornado Alley Child Exploitation and Trafficking Task Force (TACETT) created by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).
TACETT will be proactive on crimes against children relating to the internet including the distribution and production of child pornography, child enticement or exploitation, and human trafficking. The task force will also investigate other child-related cases, including, but not limited to, missing / abducted children, sexting and indecent exposure where children are victims. In addition, the task force will conduct outreach in communities in Oklahoma in an attempt to identify unreported crimes involving children, as well as conducting educational outreach at schools and various youth community organizations.
This partnership will multiply each agency’s resources, authorities, and jurisdictions to prevent, identify, investigate, and ultimately prosecute child exploitation and human trafficking related crimes. This will also enable HSI and its partners to share resources, best practices and intelligence assets thereby maximizing their ability to conduct effective investigations to combat human trafficking and ever-evolving crimes against children.
“This task force is designed to foster closer relationships between the Northern District of Oklahoma and federal, state, tribal and local law enforcement who are actively involved in any child exploitation and human trafficking related investigations,” said U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson. “Federal prosecutors and law enforcement will do everything within our power to protect victims of child exploitation and human trafficking.”
“Protecting our most marginalized and vulnerable is a major priority for HSI,” said Lester R. Hayes, Jr., Special Agent in Charge, HSI Dallas. “The creation of this task force will enhance our law enforcement capabilities immensely.”
The TACETT incorporates personnel from HSI Tulsa, Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigations, Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics, Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office, Tulsa Police Department, Oklahoma Attorney General’s Office, Rogers County Sheriff’s Office, LeFlore County District Attorney’s Office, Muskogee Police Department, Tulsa County District Attorney’s Office, Pryor Creek Police Department, Skiatook Police Department, Broken Arrow Police Department, Wagoner County Sheriff’s Office, Collinsville Police Department, Owasso Police Department, Mayes County Sheriff’s Office, Cherokee Nation Marshal Service, Checotah Police Department, Sapulpa Police Department, Bristow Police Department, Glenpool Police Department, Tahlequah Police Department, Coweta Police Department, Muscogee Creek Nation Lighthorse Police Department, Osage County Sheriff’s Office, McCurtain County Sheriff’s Office, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
If you or someone you know is a victim of child exploitation or experienced human trafficking, confidential help is available. Resources and contact information for child exploitation is available through the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children
