As part of a national sex trafficking sting, 35 sex buyers have been arrested in Brown County.
According to a news release, a national coalition of law enforcement agencies coordinated sting operations that led to more than 1,000 arrests.
The National Johns Suppression Initiative (NJSI) ran its 14th operation from June 28 - July 31 and included 37 law enforcement agencies across 17 states.
In total, at least 1,020 sex buyers were arrested, 15 individuals face trafficking-related charges and 81 individuals were recovered and offered services.
The Brown County Sheriff’s Office, with the Green Bay Police Department, De Pere Police Department, Ashwaubenon Public Safety Department, Brown County Drug Task Force, Wisconsin Department of Justice and the Federal Bureau of Investigation took 35 men into custody over the course of a 4-day operation in multiple jurisdictions in Brown County.
The Brown County operation occurred from Monday, July 17 to Thursday, July 20, 2017.
The Department of Justice in Wisconsin also approved multiple charges for "Use of Computer to Facilitate Child Sex Crime, Child Enticement, and Expose child to Harmful Descriptions".
The Brown County Sheriff’s Office would like to remind those living in Brown County as well as people who travel to Brown County that they will continue to participate in these human trafficking operations. If anyone believes that another person is being trafficked, please contact your local law enforcement agency.
The Brown County Sheriff’s Office will be holding a news conference Thursday morning to discuss the arrests.
Cumulative numbers from the 14th NJSI operation are as follows:
- 1,020 sex solicitation arrests (sex buyers)
- 15 sex trafficking arrests
- $1,508,550 in minimum possible fines
- 75 adult victims recovered
- 6 juveniles recovered
*Number subject to change based on additional law enforcement agencies reporting
