Sex trafficking cases on the rise

Sex trafficking investigations and convictions have increased six-fold in the last five years, according to the new head of Homeland Security Investigations here in El Paso.

Sex trafficking occurs when a sex act is induced by force, fraud or coercion or when the person performing that act is younger than 18. ABC-7 spoke with HSI Special Agent In Charge Waldemar Rodriguez about the increase in El Paso.

“If there are individuals that are not allowed to partake in regular activities in their communities, if there are individuals that show signs of abuse or being kept in one location or their documents are withheld from them, that’s another indication of trafficking,” Rodriguez said.

Local media reports say in 2014, there were nearly 1,000 human trafficking cases across the U.S. That led to nearly 1,800 arrests and more than 1,000 criminal indictments, but ultimately, more than 800 convictions.

“Big cases like ones we’ve seen here and throughout the nation also help the public to recognize that certain activity is in their communities,” Rodriguez said,

The most recent case in El Paso involved 29-year-old Timothy McCullouch. The former University of Texas at El Paso football player and three other men were convicted in January of forcing women into prostitution. All four are suspected of being part of a street gang.

Federal investigators are now thanking people who provide eyes and ears on the streets.

“Law enforcement can’t be successful without that cooperation. We need the tips, we need the leads, we need the public cooperation,” Rodriguez said.