MANATEE COUNTY, Fla. — A sting operation in Manatee County that netted 17 people in law enforcement custody, including 6 men is drawing attention to the issue of sex trafficking.
Some of the people caught by undercover detectives were engaging in prostitution or soliciting sex in social media chats with people they thought were minors.
Law enforcement said at least one the trafficking victims was brought into the United States from another country.
Advocates said they have started seeing that trend grow, and they have called it a wake-up call for people unaware of the dangers of sex trafficking.
One survivor is also sharing her story to help let victims know that help is available to them.
"My trafficker found out that I was trying to escape and he shot me," said Gabrielle Triplett of Sarasota.
Triplett, who is now a volunteer with the advocacy group Selah Freedom, said being caught up in the web of sex trafficking nearly cost her her life. Her trafficker was someone she knew, trusted and believed she was in a relationship with. However, she said because she was dependent on him, he manipulated and abused her and she found herself unwillingly forced into sex trafficking.
She said the recent sting by the Manatee County Sheriff's office reminded her of her own story and the need to highlight the dangers victims face dealing with or trying to escape from such situations.
"I was able to talk him into calling 911. I told him to go hide the gun and that somebody else ran in here and did this to me and he did everything I said," said Triplett.
Once in the safety of an ambulance, Triplett said she was able to open up to the police and tell them who actually shot her, the reality of her situation, and the danger she was in.
"The detectives on the case were very knowledgeable and they knew that there was more to it and even then, when they were asking me questions, I was still so scared," she said.
Sheriff Rick Wells said the sting operation netted sexual predators and operators of local massage parlors engaged in human trafficking and prostitution.
"They are not for the most part doing this of their own free well. There's always someone behind the scenes that is driving this business for them and they feel helpless and they feel like they have no way out," said Sheriff Rick Wells of Manatee County.
Advocates said they're increasingly seeing a trend of unsuspecting victims lured in from other countries specifically for the purposes of sex trafficking.
They're promised the American dream by way of a job but on getting to the US, they're finding the opposite situation which becomes the beginning of a complete nightmare.
"They will often take their documents, their passports, they will say you owe me $60,000 now because we brought you over here and threaten their family back home so they're basically being slaves," said Stacey Efaw, executive director of Selah Freedom.
Both advocates and law enforcement say the key to combating this menace is to be aware and know the signs that help recognize a situation involving sex and human trafficking. They said if you see something say something.
"If that person looks fearful to speak up, they might not know where they're at, they might not be willing to say their name or look you in the eye, and always if you have a gut feeling that something is wrong, it probably is," said Efaw.
They also said for one's safety, avoid getting involved directly in a situation where possible and instead call 911.
"You might save a life by reporting it," she said.
On Nov 9 Selah Freedom is holding a special fundraiser featuring TV personality and bounty hunter, Duane 'Dog' Chapman.
The event themed 'Light the Path' is aimed at raising funds for fighting sex trafficking and public awareness in the region.
