Law enforcement conducted sex trafficking operations Thursday night in Kearney, Scottsbluff and South Sioux City. According to the Nebraska Attorney General’s Office, it was part of Operation United Front, a joint venture of 12 Midwest states. Across the 12-state area, the operation led to 102 arrests and the rescue of 47 victims and sex workers including 2 minor victims.
Among the 7 arrests in Nebraska, was a man seeking to purchase sex acts with a 15-year-old girl who was actually an undercover police officer.
Agencies participating included Nebraska State Patrol, Scottsbluff Police Department, Kearney Police Department, Buffalo County Sheriff’s Office, South Sioux City Police Department, Sioux City Police Department, Omaha Police Department, Homeland Security Investigations, Omaha FBI Field Office, and Nebraska Attorney General’s Office.
Kearney Police Chief Bryan Waugh says the operation shows the effective work of law enforcement collaborating toward the same goal and fighting human trafficking more effectively.
Those arrested in Buffalo County for Solicitation of Prostitution, a misdemeanor were 68-year-old Charles Johnson of Holdrege, NE., 55-year-old James Hahn of Hastings, NE., and 49-year-old Shawn Paitz of Pleasanton, NE. Hahn was arrested for felony possession of a controlled substance.
