Team from Lane County to be recognized for breaking up sex trafficking ring
The State of Oregon identified 746 victims of human trafficking in Oregon between October 2018 and October 2019. Of those, 120 were in Lane County; 16 were in Douglas County. Only Clackamas (138) and Multnomah (208) counties had more identified victims than Lane in data compiled by the Oregon Department of Justice and the Oregon Department of Human Services.
EUGENE, Ore. - Law enforcement and social service professional who broke up a sex trafficking ring in Lane County will be honored Friday in Portland by the Oregon attorney general.
“DHS is proud to recognize the efforts of our Lane County and Clackamas Child Welfare awardees for their teamwork and collaboration,” said Rebecca Jones Gaston, director of the DHS Child Welfare Program. “Preventing human trafficking is not just one organization’s goal, it takes everyone to work together to make a difference in this issue, which is why the teamwork and passion exhibited by these awardees is so critical.”
The State of Oregon identified 746 victims of human trafficking in Oregon between October 2018 and October 2019.
Of those, 120 were in Lane County; 16 were in Douglas County.
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Only Clackamas (138) and Multnomah (208) counties had more identified victims than Lane in data compiled by the Oregon Department of Justice and the Oregon Department of Human Services.
“Human trafficking and the exploitation of minors, sadly, affects every corner of Oregon," said Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum. "The individuals and community members we are honoring on Human Trafficking Awareness Day represent the courage, trust, and strong inter-agency partnerships necessary to help keep our most vulnerable Oregonians, especially children, safe from traffickers."
The awards will be presented on Friday, Jan. 10 at the Oregon DOJ office at 100 SW Market Street in Portland.
The Team Award goes to Lane County officials, including:
- Lane County Child Welfare Office: Susan Lopez, Tanya Huff, Melissa Erickson, Kyle Belknap, Bridget Byfield, Chuck Nyby, Melissa McCormack.
- Federal Bureau of Investigation –Special Agent Isabel Scharn, Special Agent Damara Schlitz, SOS Joseph Peoples, Victim Specialist Florence Mackey.
- Lane County Department of Youth Services Probation Officer Jordan Sies, DelBrico Kriner and MH specialist Martin Starr.
- Eugene Police Department – Detective Curtis Newell, Detective Jed McGuire.
- Albany Police Department- Officer Gabe Flores, Albany Police Department
The attorney general also plans to present several Above & Beyond Awards:
- Advocate: Tanel Tucker, Safety Compass
- District Attorney: Mike Botthof, Multnomah County District Attorney
- Law Enforcement: Officer Heather Hisel, Milwaukie Police Department
- DHS: Kelly Walsh, Clackamas Child Welfare Office
- Other: Tom Perez, EPIK
