Carson City Sheriff's Office investigating alleged sex trafficking

The Carson City Sheriff’s Office received information on Saturday of an alleged sex trafficking operation out of California that had arrived in the local area on Friday.

The original information alleged that approximately 9 persons were involved, including 3 males who were significantly armed, according to a press release.

Because of the nature of the operation, the FBI’s Human Exploitation and Trafficking (HEAT) Task Force was engaged to assist.

The Carson City Sheriff’s Office received search warrants for multiple rooms and a vehicle at the America’s Best Value Inn on South Carson Street.

Due to the threat level, the warrants were executed by SWAT, Special Enforcement, and FBI task force members at approximately 12:20 p.m.

SWAT team members took four males and five females into custody. While searches are continuing, weapons and controlled substances have been seized, the press release said.

In anticipation of the search warrant execution, the Sheriff’s Office engaged with local expert supportive services including sexual assault advocates and Exquisite.

These services were readily available prior to the operation initiation and provided direct support throughout the operation.

This is an on-going investigation, specific arrest information was not immediately available, Sheriff Ken Furlong said.

“Sex Trafficking is Human Trafficking for the purpose of sexual exploitation and is often considered a form of human slavery,” the release said.

Anyone with information regarding sex or human trafficking is encouraged to contact their local, state, or federal authorities.