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Sixteen men, including an employee of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), were arrested in Bloomington, Minnesota, during an undercover operation targeting sex solicitation. The sting, dubbed 'Operation CREEP' (an acronym for Child Exploitation Education and Enforcement Program), was conducted by the Bloomington Police Department, which has emphasized its commitment to targeting the demand side of sex trafficking.
The two-day operation involved undercover officers posting decoy advertisements on websites known for commercial sex solicitation. The men who were arrested had reportedly responded to these ads and traveled to a Bloomington hotel with the intention of paying for sex. According to police statements, the individuals arrested range in age from 23 to 64 and come from various parts of the Twin Cities metro area.
Among those taken into custody was a federal employee working for ICE, a detail that has drawn significant attention to the case. Details from the Bloomington police-led sting operation confirm the arrest of a federal agent, which has been corroborated by multiple local news outlets. ICE has reportedly been made aware of the arrest and is cooperating with the local law enforcement investigation.
Bloomington Police Chief Booker Hodges stated that such stings are crucial for dismantling the economic engine decisões of human trafficking. By arresting the buyers, the department aims to reduce the demand that fuels the exploitation of vulnerable individuals. The arrested men are expected to face charges espaços of soliciting prostitution, which is a gross misdemeanor in Minnesota. The multi-agency effort highlights a broader strategy to combat sex trafficking in Minnesota, with similar stings being carried out in other jurisdictions. These operations often involve partnerships with agencies like the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension to increase their effectiveness and reach, part of ongoing anti-exploitation efforts in the Twin Cities.
