Message from Sheriff Ed Gonzalez:
National Human Trafficking Prevention Month is observed in January. It serves as an opportunity to unite efforts against human trafficking, raise awareness, and mobilize communities to take action.
Houston is considered a major hub for human trafficking due to its size, diverse population, and proximity to the U.S.-Mexico border. Texas consistently has the second-highest number of calls to the National Human Trafficking Hotline every year.
HCSO is fully committed to combating Human Trafficking. Our top priority is rescuing victims utilizing a trauma-informed approach with the ultimate goal of eliminating and reducing re-victimization.
What is human trafficking?
Human trafficking affects both adults and children, men and women, and people from all parts of Harris County, Texas, the United States, and around the world.
Human trafficking involves the use of force, fraud, or coercion to obtain labor or commercial sex acts. Every year, millions of men, women, and children are trafficked. It can happen in any community, and victims can be any age, race, gender, or nationality. Traffickers might use the following methods to lure victims into trafficking situations:
- Violence
- Manipulation
- False promises of well-paying jobs
- Romantic relationships
Language barriers, fear of their traffickers, and/or fear of law enforcement frequently keep victims from seeking help, making human trafficking a hidden crime.
What is the Harris County Sheriff’s Office doing to end human trafficking?
HCSO Human Trafficking Unit investigators play a critical role in identifying and combating these horrific cases that often victimize our most vulnerable neighbors.
Our agency conducts proactive investigations and participates in multi-partner operations, where we locate victims based on intelligence that we have developed.
HCSO also has a crime victim’s assistance unit and victim advocates for specialized crimes. The advocates for the human trafficking unit accompany the deputies to make contact with victims as soon as possible. And they can assist in connecting people to a myriad of resources, including financial, medical, legal, and more.
We work with organizations in our community to collaborate on solutions, from intervention and crisis planning to locating shelters or referrals. Even if someone feels that they aren’t ready or have to plan to get out safely, they can reach out to our advocates for that help.
Also, the Sheriff’s Office is a proud member of the Human Trafficking Rescue Alliance, a regional task force aimed at identifying, apprehending, and prosecuting those engaged in trafficking. The task force is made up of local, state, and federal agencies and combines resources to target human traffickers and connect victims of all forms of human trafficking, including labor and sex trafficking, to victims’ services.
Human Trafficking is a pervasive issue that affects communities worldwide, and we believe that awareness is a crucial step towards prevention. Join Sheriff Ed Gonzalez and the Harris County Sheriff’s Office for a Facebook Live to raise awareness about Human Trafficking next Thursday, January 11, 2024, at 11 a.m. via our Facebook page.
How can you help us stop human trafficking?
The community plays a crucial role in the fight against human trafficking. Here are some actions you can take to contribute to the fight against human trafficking:
- Be Informed: Learn about the signs of human trafficking and understand how traffickers operate. Knowledge is crucial for recognizing potential cases and taking appropriate action.
- Raise Awareness: Use your voice to raise awareness about human trafficking. Share information on social media, organize events and engage in conversations to educate others about the issue.
- Support Anti-Trafficking Organizations: Contribute to or volunteer with organizations dedicated to combating human trafficking. These organizations support survivors, conduct awareness campaigns, and work on prevention and advocacy.
- Be Vigilant in Your Community: Stay alert to unusual or suspicious activities in your community, especially in places like hotels, bars, or transportation hubs. Report anything you find concerning to the appropriate authorities.
- Be Mindful of Online Activities: Be cautious and aware of online activities, especially on social media. Traffickers often use online platforms to recruit victims. Report any suspicious online behavior to the appropriate authorities.
Collective efforts from the public are essential to creating a world free from human trafficking.
How to report human trafficking or suspicious activity?
- In an emergency, dial 911.
Contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline:
- Call: 1-888-373-7888 (TTY: 711).
- Text: 233733.
- Click here to chat.
We stand together with those who are being trafficked, survivors, and the many advocates in our region whose mission is to end human trafficking for all. Together, we can stop human trafficking. If you see something, say something.
Watch: HCSO 2023 Top Social Media Posts
A recap of HCSO’s most popular social media posts in 2023. Thank you to our followers for engaging with us. We look forward to keeping you informed and connected in 2024!
HCSO In The News
KHOU: ‘He gave me a lot of holiday cheer’ | Harris County inmates open Christmas gifts with their children
Forty children were reunited with their mothers for a holiday surprise this Christmas season. Their mothers are serving time at the Harris County Women’s Empowerment Center. For one mom, it was exactly what she needed to get a bit of peace. “He gave me a lot of holiday cheer,” said Ikea Lane about seeing her son, Daveon McGregor.
ABC 13: Charges filed against 18-wheeler driver at center of hours long SWAT standoff on I-10 East Fwy
The man accused of being behind the wheel of a semi-truck that stopped in the middle of the I-10 East Freeway last week has been charged. The video above is from a previous report. Trinidad Cutshall was charged with evading arrest and detention in a motor vehicle. Records show that the charges were filed on Dec. 30, days after the Harris County Sheriff’s Office identified Cutshall as the driver at the center of the dramatic standoff.
Congratulations to our new Detention Officers
Congratulations to our new Detention Officers on their graduation! We are proud of your hard work and dedication. Thank you for your commitment to serving and protecting.
Join our team! Visit HCSOJobs.com or call 713-877-5250 to apply today!
Multi-Agency Joint New Year’s DWI Initiative
Sheriff Ed Gonzalez and the Harris County Sheriff’s Office joined forces with multiple agencies for the New Year’s holiday weekend to crack down on drunk drivers across the county.
Harris County historically has had the highest number of fatal crashes related to DWI. We appreciate our deputies’ hard work and all the agencies involved.
Let’s welcome 2024 with joy, responsibility, and a collective dedication to keeping our roads free from impaired driving.
Happy New Year!
Happy New Year from Sheriff Ed Gonzalez and the Harris County Sheriff’s Office! We wish you a safe and prosperous 2024 filled with peace and happiness.
You are not alone, we are here to help you
Last month, the HCSO Crisis Intervention Response Team (CIRT) responded at a freeway bridge off of SH 99 and I-10 to an individual experiencing suicidal thoughts. CIRT assisted and got the individual the appropriate resources. If you need assistance call 988 or 713-970-7000.
Investigators Need Your Help in Locating Suspect and Vehicle Used in East Harris County Murder
We need your help in identifying murder suspects and their vehicle after a road rage incident that occurred on November 19, 2023, in east Harris County.
Twenty-one-year-old Angel Muniz-Acosta died of his injuries, and a 21-year-old female passenger was not injured. The suspects’ vehicle is a silver-colored 4-door sedan.
Anyone with information call the Harris County Sheriff’s Office Homicide Unit at 713-274-9100 or Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS (8477). Click here to read the release.
Who Killed Malachi Lopez: Investigators Need Public’s Help
Help HCSO Investigators find the murderer of Malachi Lopez. The victim’s photo is shown above. On November 18, 2023, the Precinct 4 Constable’s Office responded to a shooting at the Cashel Springs Apartments located at 14222 Wunderlich in north Harris County. When deputies arrived, they located 20-year-old Malachi Lopez, who had suffered a gunshot wound. Lopez was transported to a hospital in critical condition and died the following day.
The HCSO Homicide Unit took over the case. Anyone with information about the case is asked to contact the Homicide Office at 713-274-9100 or Crime Stoppers of Houston at 713-222-TIPS (8477). Click here to read the release.