Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr has recognized January as Human Trafficking Prevention Month and has provided an update on the work of the state’s new Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit.
“Georgia is leading the nation in the fight to combat human trafficking, and lives have forever been changed as a result,” said Carr. “With our Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit, we have recovered Georgia’s missing and endangered children and pursued both buyers and sellers with record success. We’re grateful for our strong partnerships with Governor Brian Kemp, First Lady Marty Kemp, the GRACE Commission and the Georgia General Assembly, and we will continue to work together to protect and support survivors throughout our state.”
In a press release from Carr’s office, he detailed the progress of the Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit, writing how in “2019, with the support of Governor Brian Kemp, First Lady Marty Kemp and leaders in the General Assembly, Carr created the first-of-its-kind statewide Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit.”
“Complete with dedicated prosecutors, investigators, analysts, a victim advocate and paralegal, this Unit works with local, state, and federal law enforcement to arrest and prosecute offenders and rescue victims of sex trafficking,” the press release continued. “Last year alone, the Attorney General’s Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit rescued and assisted 129 victims, led and assisted 81 case investigations, and secured 29 new convictions, with all guilty defendants sentenced to prison.”
“The Unit also obtained a first-of-its-kind indictment involving the trafficking of an adult female with a developmental disability and its first conviction of a hotel clerk who assisted in the trafficking of an underage girl in Fulton County,” the press release added. “In addition, the Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit successfully prosecuted a 10-defendant case in Fulton County, with every individual sentenced to prison for their involvement in the trafficking of a 17-year-old female. This case stems from “Operation Not Forgotten,” during which this victim was recovered from a hotel in Fulton County. At the time, the child had been reported as missing from Kansas City, Missouri. In total, 13 people have been charged in the trafficking of this underage victim. Along with all 10 men who have already pleaded guilty, this also includes the indictment of Terry Florence in DeKalb County and Denorris Hutchinson and Natasha Bridges in Fulton County.”
Carr also noted that throughout 2023, his Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit “worked closely with his Gang Prosecution Unit to secure the indictment of nine individuals and the conviction of four others in cases involving allegations of both human trafficking and criminal gang activity.”
“Overall, Carr’s Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit has 39 defendants who are currently under indictment, with some facing charges in multiple jurisdictions around the state,” his press release said.