Human traffickers arrested in Wilsonville, police say

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Three suspected human traffickers were arrested in Wilsonville during a sting operation led by the West Linn Police Department on Feb. 7.

The sting operation was carried out by the Clackamas County Human Trafficking Multi-Disciplinary Team, which is made up of multiple law enforcement agencies, the Clackamas County District Attorney’s Office and Clackamas Victim Assistance.

“The mission’s goals were to apprehend human traffickers and sex buyers, and provide services to victims,” the West Linn Police Department said. “Sex buyers are extremely prevalent. More often than not, the prostitutes in these positions are victims whose lives and daily physical safety are entirely controlled and exploited by their traffickers.”

Five people suspected of purchasing sex were detained and ticketed for misdemeanor crimes during the mission. Three adult women were offered victim services, including food, lodging, onsite medical services, counseling, and drug rehabilitation services, police said.

Felony charges brought against the suspected human traffickers include promoting prostitution, felon in possession of a firearm and probation violation for past trafficking crimes. 

“The West Linn Police Department routinely participates in interagency human trafficking stings throughout Clackamas County,” WLPD said. “The Human Trafficking of adult prostitutes and children is abhorrent, and we are committed to holding offenders accountable and providing safety to victims.”

Earlier this month, Portland Police arrested or cited 32 people for soliciting or trying to pay for sex in Northeast Portland.