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In many cases, human trafficking is not an issue that most people think about. While more attention is being directed to this problem, a long way to go still remains. When human trafficking is discussed, attention commonly gets directed toward the victims and traffickers. However, there is one critical element missing here: the buyers who purchase human beings from traffickers. It is critical for people to comprehend that buyers have just as much guilt in human trafficking as the traffickers themselves. Buyers create demand for trafficking, along with engaging in the purchase of someone's body, labor, organs, etc. In Missouri, a recent sting operation led to the arrests of 11 individuals who paid money to human traffickers.

A closer look at this sting operation

In St. Charles, Missouri, law enforcement officers posed as traffickers selling victims for sex. The 11 men who stand accused of giving money to human traffickers to purchase a human being are as follows:

• 20-year-old Keyshawn Brooks-Moore
• 31-year-old Jordan Hicks
• 40-year-old Jason Crader
• 34-year-old Michael Moon
• 48-year-old Norman Hill
• 40-year-old Daniel Novak, Jr
• 56-year-old Scott Schneider
• 25-year-old Hardik Patel
• 43-year-old Marco Young
• 73-year-old Frederick Wasson
• 37-year-old Zachary Stonebarger

Involved in this sting operation was not only the St. Charles Police Department, but also the St. Charles County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office. Each of the arrested men made contact with the undercover officers for the purpose of purchasing sex. Three of them also had drugs on their person at the time of the arrest. Though all parties now face criminal charges.

Holding all perpetrators accountable

As society directs more attention toward combatting human trafficking, we cannot allow buyers who purchase from traffickers to get off the hook. Without buyers, human trafficking would not exist. Some people have even suggested that targeting more buyers of human trafficking will ultimately take out demand, hence lowering the current rates of trafficking. Groups like Operation Underground Railroad, A21, and Slavery Free World are excellent resources to learn more and join the fight against human trafficking. Anyone who wishes to report what they believe to be human trafficking can contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline via phone at 1 (888) 373-7888 or by text at 233733.