Federal and Local Law Enforcement Crack Down on Prostitution and Human Trafficking in Colorado

On June 12 and 13, 2013, Denver Metro area law enforcement agencies participated in an operation that concentrated on escorts advertising on the Internet site www.preferred411.com.

Investigators have found this site to be used nationwide to advertise for the purposes of prostitution and to verify “clients.”

During the course of the investigation and two-day operation, 12 female escorts advertising on the website were arrested for prostitution-related offenses. In addition, 10 female escorts advertising on www.denverbackpage.com were also arrested for prostitution-related offenses.

During a four-month investigation, law enforcement identified the escorts operating in Colorado and male “clients” using websites to conduct acts of prostitution or what the “clients” refer to as their “hobby.”

Previous investigations nationally have shown links to this type of website may involve human trafficking violations.

Denver Police Department Lieutenant James Henning said, “We will continue to investigate crimes involving prostitution in the Denver Metro area and keep up with the evolving technology used by people in this industry.”

The FBI has previously stated, “We are working hard to stop human trafficking—not only because of the personal and psychological toll it takes on society, but also because it facilitates the illegal movement of immigrants across borders and provides a ready source of income for organized crime groups and even terrorists.”

Participating Agencies include Denver, Aurora, and Lakewood Police Departments; FBI Denver Division; Colorado Trafficking and Organized Crime Coalition (C-TOCC); and the Innocence Lost Task Force.

- Additional information about the FBI’s efforts to combat human trafficking