Human trafficking more likely as Charlotte region grows, authorities say

Charlotte has become a focal point in the nation’s war on human trafficking, with a growing population, vibrant sporting and convention industries, and easy access to major highways as lures for crimes that are transient in nature, federal and local authorities said Monday.

Officials came together in uptown on Monday to train about 40 members of the hotel and motel industry to identify the signs of “modern-day slavery” and how to support law enforcement agencies charged with stopping it.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg police also announced plans to launch a task force in March to help enhance the region’s resources for identifying traffickers and going after them.

“You are on the front lines of this particular crime,” U.S. Attorney Jill Westmoreland Rose said in opening remarks for Monday’s program presented by the Charlotte Metropolitan Human Trafficking Task Force. “Traffickers can easily set up their operations here and … quickly access other metropolitan areas, where they can continue their criminal activity.”

The effort to address trafficking in Charlotte comes as investigators for the Department of Homeland Security are seeing a 50 percent spike in their caseload, said Nick Annan, special agent for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations team.

The team handled 1,000 investigations in fiscal year 2013, saw more than 800 traffickers convicted and rescued more than 400 victims, Annan said.

By comparison, investigators conducted 651 investigations and saw 144 convictions three years earlier.

Overall, Charlotte has ranked first in the state for reported cases of sales involving humans, and North Carolina ranked in the top 10 nationally, said Whitni Wertz of the local human trafficking task force.

Authorities said those most vulnerable to human traffickers are immigrants and runaways. Victims are often ages 18 to 24 and may not know their rights.

Eighty-two trafficking cases were reported in North Carolina in 2015 and 118 in 2014, according to the National Human Trafficking Resource Center.

“As mayor of Charlotte, I know there’s one thing we don’t want to be known for: We don’t want to remain in the top 10 for this terrible crime,” Mayor Jennifer Roberts told the group attending Monday’s training.

Those in the training session were encouraged to contact police if they see someone who is fearful of speaking for himself or herself. Seeing someone who is confused about the time and place may also be reason for concern.

Traffickers may initially appear friendly and may offer to take care of someone. Ultimately, victims may be beaten, starved or threatened. They can end up in forced labor or prostitution rings.

CMPD is recruiting members for its new task force. The goal is to have detectives collaborating with the FBI, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and other agencies. Investigators from the region’s law enforcement agencies will also be invited to participate, said Maj. Michael Adams.

“We are a growing city,” Adams said. “With a growing city come some of these issues.”

This story was originally published January 11, 2016 at 4:30 PM with the headline "Human trafficking more likely as Charlotte region grows, authorities say."