From November 19 to the 22, the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) partnered with federal, state, and local agencies in a series of sex trafficking operations. According to the LVMPD's official statement, the joint operation involved North Las Vegas and Henderson Police Departments, along with the Attorney General’s Office and others. The operations aimed to crack down on traffickers, sex buyers, and to offer aid to the victims of human trafficking.
Undercover efforts led to an uptick in arrests and citations, with 18 individuals booked for attempting to pay for sexual services. This year's numbers marked an increase from the 15 arrests of the previous year. LVMPD detectives carried out a second operation by posing as potential commercial sex workers. The sting operation successfully led to 14 arrests on charges of pandering, a notable increase from the six arrests during the similar period in 2024.
A key aspect of the operations was the victim-centered approach. During the multi-day campaign, detectives made contact with 78 individuals involved in commercial sex, up from 75 contacts last year. Advocates from Rise/Signs of Hope, and a Vice Victim Advocate, were on hand to provide assistance and a chance for individuals to disclose their situation or to seek help separate from the law enforcement proceedings.
The operations also had a human side, with Rise advocates helping an out-of-state victim by providing emergency housing and coordinating transportation back home. "Rise advocates assisted an out-of-state victim by providing emergency housing and essential services," as stated in the LVMPD report. LVMPD's multi-agency efforts culminated in a total of 115 arrests and citations, reflecting an 11.6% rise compared to 103 incidents reported last year.
If you or someone you know is affected by human trafficking, resources are available. Victims can reach out to the RISE Advocate Hotline at 702-936-4004. For those out of state, the National Human Trafficking Hotline is reachable at 1-888-373-7888.
