June 5, 2025
WEST MEMPHIS, Ark. — The Arkansas Human Trafficking Council, in partnership with other agencies, conducted a coordinated victim recovery operation in West Memphis on Thursday, May 29, 2025. Partner agencies included Arkansas State Police’s (ASP) Company A and Troop D, the Attorney General’s Office, members of the 2nd Judicial Drug Task Force, West Memphis Police Department, Marion Police Department, and the Crittenden County Sheriff’s Office.
During Operation DELTA: Defending Every Life Trafficked in Arkansas, law enforcement and partner agencies interacted with nine victims, all of whom were provided immediate access to victim services and support resources, including medical care, advocacy, and other essential services. Additionally, 29 local victims were identified as part of Operation DELTA. In preparation for the operation, one child was removed from exploitative, vulnerable, and unstable conditions. All minors were taken into protective custody, while adult victims received support services.
Six individuals who transported victims to the location were taken into custody. Five were arrested for Promoting Prostitution. One individual was arrested for Felon in Possession of a Firearm. One of the suspects attempted to flee but was apprehended after ASP Criminal Investigation Division Special Agents executed a Tactical Vehicle Intervention (TVI) with local agency assistance.
“This operation highlights the Human Trafficking Council’s strategy of targeting traffickers and exploiters while prioritizing the safety and recovery of victims,” said Sgt. Matt Foster, Arkansas Human Trafficking Coordinator. “This initiative reflects a broader and ongoing effort by state and local agencies to combat human trafficking using a victim-centered approach.”
Victim service providers include: Families in Transition – FIT, Hope Found NEA, The Genesis Project, ReClaim, Mending Hearts Child Safety Center, Arkansas Coalition Against Sexual Assault – ACASA and 2nd Judicial District Prosecutors Office Witness Coordinators.
The West Memphis operation is part of a series of coordinated statewide efforts. Similar operations such as “Operation VOICE” in Fort Smith and “Operation Obscured Vision” targeting illicit massage parlors have resulted in the identification of dozens of victims, the arrest of traffickers, and the provision of critical support services to survivors.
Additionally, the operation underscores the ongoing work of Special Agents in cases involving missing juveniles. CID Special Agents successfully assisted in recovering missing female juveniles in Bryant and West Memphis.
A statewide resource webpage, unveiled in January of 2025, is dedicated to assisting victims of human trafficking and includes a way for the public to report potential trafficking to ASP and a county-by-county resource map that enables victims to search for resources closest to them.
The Arkansas Human Trafficking Council was established in 2023 with a $1.5 million, three-year grant, bringing together law enforcement, nonprofits, state agencies, and community partners to develop a victim-centered response.