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More than fifteen local, state and federal law enforcement agencies coordinated a surge of operations targeting human trafficking and child exploitation during World Cup events in Kansas City, the Kansas City division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation announced Tuesday.
These agencies conducted seventeen operations that identified individuals attempting to solicit commercial sex work or commit sexual acts with children.
Nineteen people were arrested on various state and federal charges as a result of these operations, according to the release.
Some local law enforcement led separate initiatives during the World Cup as well, such as Clay County’s sting operation that led to the arrest of seven additional men for the attempted enticement of a child for sex.
Human trafficking arrests in Kansas City
The coordinated effort under the FBI located nine children who were reported missing and deemed to be of high risk of being a victim of human trafficking, according to the release. Agencies also connected nine people with victim services, which the FBI said can include immediate medical needs, housing, employment, education, job training and childcare support.
“For the past several weeks, there has been a significant and substantial effort by law enforcement across the metro to combat trafficking alongside FIFA World Cup events,” Chris Ormerod, FBI Kansas City special agent in charge, said in the news release.
“While it is an unfortunate fact that numbers like this confirm this threat is still one that exists in our community, I am proud of the work of all the partners involved to help us on this surge.”
Police departments and sheriff’s offices in Jackson, Cass, Clay, Johnson, Butler and Bourbon counties participated in the surge.
Efforts were also supported by several federal and state agencies, such as the FBI Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force, Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Marshal Service districts in Kansas and western Missouri, Missouri State Highway Patrol and the Missouri State Technical Assistance Team.
Various nonprofits aided the efforts, including KC-based Cornerstones of Care, the World Cup Aftercare Resources and Services Council, and Bridging the Gap – Oregon.
The Missouri Sex Trafficking Prevention Unit and Kansas Department for Children and Families also provided support.
Clay County sting operation
Local law enforcement agencies conducted additional operations related to sexual exploitation and human trafficking.
Last week, the Clay County Sheriff’s Office announced seven men from Missouri, Kansas and Louisiana were charged following a sting operation during the World Cup. Detectives pretended to be 15-year-old girls online and communicated with men who asked for sex.
Clay County Prosecuting Attorney Zachary Thompson said while the sting operation coincided with the World Cup, human trafficking continues to be a risk beyond large events.
In 2024, the National Human Trafficking Hotline identified 230 victims of human trafficking cases in Kansas and 539 victims in Missouri.
He said his office plans to work with law enforcement at the local, state and federal levels on similar efforts in the future.
Authorities request that anyone with information about human trafficking contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline by calling 888-373-7888, texting 233733 or chatting online at humantraffickinghotline.org/chat.
Anyone who has information regarding or suspects human trafficking can also call their local FBI office, the FBI’s National Threat Operations Center or their local police department.
