The news conference was to take place at 11 a.m. at the Hartford Police Department headquarters on High Street and was to include Hartford Judicial District State’s Attorney Sharmese L. Walcott, Connecticut Children’s Alliance Executive Director Krystal Rich and representatives from the Hartford Police Department.
“The event will spotlight the impactful work of the Regionalalized Human Trafficking Recovery Task Force (RHTRT) emphasizing the strength of regional collaboration between law enforcement and victim services, and the importance of a multidisciplinary approach in combating human trafficking across Connecticut, highlight a recent Hartford case that led to the arrest of seven individuals,” the DCJ said in a news release Thursday morning.
Police identified the suspects as Ahmad Compton, 36; James Williams, 35; Bernard Mickens, 38; Raheem Jones, 50; Donovan Dun, 19; Tyrod Jackson, 19; and Tahjay Wilson, 20. All but Jones are listed as Hartford residents, and Jones has no known address, according to Boisvert.
At the time of the arrests, Boisvert said the investigation remained ongoing and additional arrests were anticipated.
The three juveniles were returned safely to their families, Boisvert said in September.
Anyone in need or urgent support can call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888 or text “BEFREE” (233733). Resources are also available on the Regionalized Human Trafficking Recovery Task Force’s website at https://rhtrt.org.
To report suspected abuse in Connecticut, call the state Department of Children and Families’ Careline at 1-800-842-2288.
