MISSISSIPPI BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION HUMAN TRAFFICKING / SPECIAL VICTIMS UNIT

Our Purpose

The purpose of the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation Human Trafficking / Special Victims Unit (MBI HT / SVU) is to foster a collaborative, multidisciplinary effort among state agencies, service providers, first responders, local and federal law enforcement, local and federal prosecutors, and lawmakers to develop and implement a victim-centered, trauma-informed, offender-focused, sustainable, uniform protocol for identifying and effectively responding to incidents of all forms of human trafficking, and the crimes associated with human trafficking are presented for prosecution. The unit is comprised of the statewide human trafficking coordinator, a supervisory special agent, four regional human trafficking special agents, and a human trafficking intelligence analyst.

Reporting Period

January 01, 2023 – December 31, 2023

Mississippi Bureau of Investigation Human Trafficking Special Victims Unit

Data Collection Report Sources include the National Human Trafficking Hotline, the Mississippi Department of Child Protection Services, Law Enforcement Officers, and MBI Agents.

In 2023, MBI HT/SVU initiated 192 HT investigations and reached out to local law enforcement and the MS Department of Child Protection Services (CPS) to offer support, worked the investigation as lead, or closed the investigation as unfounded. There were 185 reports of sex trafficking, 6 reports of labor trafficking, and 1 report of both sex and labor trafficking. Two hundred twenty-seven victims were reported. There were 31 arrested for HT-related offenses and 10 were found guilty, pled guilty, or accepted a plea agreement for an HT-related charge.

For Emergencies, Dial 911

To report Child Sex or Labor Trafficking, Abuse, or Neglect - Contact Child Protection Services Phone: 1-888-222-8000

If you or someone you know is a victim of human trafficking you can report to the National Human Trafficking Hotline:

Phone: 1-888-373-7888  | Text:BEFREE (233733) 

(You have the option to remain anonymous)

To report all Human Trafficking cases in Mississippi Contact:

Mississippi Bureau of Investigation Statewide Human Trafficking Coordinator, Ashlee Lucas

Email: ReportHT@dps.ms.gov  |  Phone: 601-987-1671