After the recent arrests of over 20 men who were using hotels to meet with children in the Kansas City area for sexual purposes and with a recently-released movie on the topic, Homeland Security Investigations is again reminding parents to be watchful of their kids’ online activity.
Special Agent Taekuk Cho says it doesn’t take long for an online conversation to turn sexual through photos or videos. And with people of all ages glued to their cell phones, it’s imperative for parents to be proactive.
Demands for money can follow quickly, with the threat of photos and videos going to family and friends if victims don’t comply. Cho says predators may well believe online extortion and blackmail is easier and more effective than grabbing somebody off the street for trafficking purposes. From the victim’s perspective, just the prospect of blackmail can be humiliating.
Cho says he couldn’t comment on the movie, “Sound of Freedom,” which highlights a former HSI agent who does his own work to free children from sex traffickers.
Cho also said the top two categories for criminal activity, as investigated by HSI Kansas City, are now fentanyl distribution and sex trafficking — and they are connected in some cases. Cho says children and adults being trafficked are often given drugs and get addicted.
For more information, call local law enforcement and the HSI tipline by calling 1-866-347-2423.
*Click here for information on human trafficking from Homeland Security Investigations
*Click here for information on human trafficking from the US State Department
KVOE News interview with Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent Taekuk Cho
