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16 arrested in Douglasville on sex trafficking charges

The arrests came less than two weeks before the Super Bowl in Atlanta.
The arrests came less than two weeks before the Super Bowl in Atlanta.
By J.D. Capelouto
Jan 30, 2019

Authorities in Douglas County last week arrested 16 people who were allegedly part of a human sex trafficking ring, police said.

The stings happened last Wednesday and Thursday, dates that were "specifically selected to be near the Super Bowl," the Douglasville Police Department said in a post on Facebook.

Some advocates say there is a spike in human sex trafficking in the Super Bowl’s host city on the days surrounding the big game.

RELATED: Super Bowl Sting: 33 arrested for sex trafficking

IN-DEPTH: Experts warn of trafficking ahead of Super Bowl 53

Police have not released the identities of the people arrested, but said they face charges including prostitution, pimping, pandering, human trafficking and drug offenses.

MORE: Torpy at Large: Sexual slavery and myth-making at the Super Bowl

Local and federal authorities used “undercover officers, social media sites and local hotel rooms” to make the arrests, police said.

Dozens of school buses made a major statement to combat human trafficking in the heart of Atlanta

About the Author

J.D. is a local news reporter covering intown Atlanta and Atlanta City Hall for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Follow J.D. Capelouto on twitter
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