Police Department

Sex Trafficking Operation

Julie Humphreys, Communications Manager, 509.625.5868

Wednesday, December 21, 2022 at 8:39 a.m.

Update 4/28/23:

23- year old man sentenced to almost 11 years in prison for sex trafficking

Leron J. Stovall of Federal Way, WA, was arrested following an anti-sex trafficking operation at Northern Quest Resort & Casino in Airway Heights last December. Diligent investigative work by the FBI Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force (comprised of FBI, Spokane Police and the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office) lead to Stovell’s arrest on January 13, 2023.  Yesterday Stovall plead guilty to 2^nd degree human trafficking for his involvement in trafficking a juvenile who was contacted during the operation and reunited with her family.  A judge sentenced Stovall to 129 months in prison. See original media release below.

Original Release 12/20/22:

Anti-sex trafficking operation results in successfully removing a trafficked juvenile from the streets and provides strong investigative leads to her trafficker's

On 12/14/2022, the FBI Spokane Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force, in conjunction with Kalispel Tribal Police, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, and members of the Spokane Regional Safe Streets Task Force, conducted an anti-sex trafficking operation at Northern Quest Resort & Casino in Airway Heights. The operation resulted in contacts with six women involved in trafficking and/or commercial sex work. In one contact, task force members were able to connect a trafficked juvenile with her family and begin an investigation into those responsible for trafficking her.

The primary purpose of these operations is twofold – identifying traffickers and providing resources for sex trafficked victims. Four of the contacts in this operation - adult women, resulted in connecting them with advocates from the Kalispel Tribe and the FBI who are skilled in providing services to help move women out of the sex trade lifestyle. One contact resulted in a woman being arrested on a felony assault and theft warrant.

Human/sex trafficking can happen anywhere and is reportedly the fastest growing criminal industry in the world today. The FBI Spokane Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force is a dedicated anti-trafficking unit consisting of FBI, Spokane Police Department, and Spokane County Sheriff’s Office members. The unit works tirelessly to identify and apprehend those involved in the recruitment, transportation, harboring, and sale of people for labor or services. Task Force members also work to provide victims support and alternative lifestyle options.

If you have concerns about possible human trafficking contact the task force at Inlandnwht@fbi.gov. An additional resource is the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888, SMS “HELP” or “INFO” to 233733

The Spokane Regional Safe Streets Task Force is comprised of the FBI, Spokane Police Department, Spokane County Sheriff’s Office, Spokane Valley Police Department, United States Border Patrol, and the Washington State Department of Corrections.  The task force is dedicated to keeping our streets safe by fighting violent crime, including gang activity and drug trafficking.

 

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