Multiple law enforcement agencies have succeeded in apprehending a suspect following an extensive human trafficking investigation in Boyd County, Kentucky. Anthony Smith, a 29-year-old resident of Ashland, now faces charges of attempted human trafficking, specifically engaging in commercial sex activity with a victim under 18 years of age, and procuring or promoting the use of a minor by electronic means.
The Ashland Police Department made the announcement via social media, stating that Smith was taken into custody at his residence on Thursday. Investigators are currently examining several electronic devices seized from the location, with the assistance of a cybercrime unit.
This operation involved collaborative efforts from the FBI, Kentucky State Police, and the Jeffersontown Police Department.
According to data from the National Human Trafficking Hotline, approximately 25 million people are trafficked worldwide each year. In the United States, an estimated 20,000 victims are trafficked annually.
It is essential to understand that a single human trafficking case can involve several or even dozens of victims.
For instance, in Ohio alone, the National Human Trafficking Hotline reported 291 cases in 2021 (the most recent reporting available), potentially affecting thousands of individuals. Similarly, Kentucky had 115 cases, and West Virginia had 39 cases during the same year, with each case potentially involving multiple victims.
These statistics highlight the urgency and importance of law enforcement agencies efforts in combating this heinous crime and bringing justice to the victims