WASHINGTON, DC – Today U.S. Rep. Pete Olson (R-TX), Fort Bend County Judge KP George and Fort Bend Precinct 3 Commissioner Andy Meyers joined the FBI for a briefing on human trafficking offenses in Fort Bend County. Human trafficking preys on the most vulnerable in our society and is a gruesome form of modern day slavery. Human trafficking is a growing threat to our community. That’s why Rep. Olson and Judge George are developing a task force to investigate and prosecute cases of human trafficking throughout Fort Bend County.
“As the co-chair of the House Victims’ Rights Caucus, I’m committed to serving as a voice for victims of human trafficking,” Rep. Pete Olson said. “As a rising number of traffickers bring their innocent victims through the I-10 corridor, we have a moral obligation to stop these crimes before they happen and save precious lives. The information provided by the FBI was an important step for Judge KP George, Commissioner Andy Meyers and I to determine effective ways local communities and the federal government can proactively address human trafficking and protect the most vulnerable in our communities.”
“As the top elected official of Fort Bend County, I recognize that human trafficking is serious and widespread threat that must be tackled by every level of government,” Fort Bend County Judge KP George said.” That’s why I am proud to partner with our local officials like District Attorney Brian Middleton and our federal counterparts in Congressman Olson and the FBI. We will continue doing everything in our power to pursue the criminals behind this dehumanizing industry. Our human trafficking taskforce will identify and act decisively in saving lives.”
“Human trafficking is a threat to our community that concerns me greatly” Fort Bend Precinct 3 Commissioner Andy Meyers said. “As a board member of Childproof America, an organization dedicated to anti-human trafficking efforts, I’ve made it a priority to combat this issue head on. My office is currently working with our state legislature, with State Representatives John Zerwas and Rick Miller, and State Senators Joan Huffman and Lois Kolkhorst, to get funding appropriated that will train prosecutors, law enforcement, and school leadership on identifying at-risk students. Fort Bend County Judge KP George and I will continue to fight this issue and we are happy to have a great partnership with Congressman Pete Olson and the FBI on this issue.”
“The Fort Bend District Attorney’s Office will do everything within its power to combat human trafficking in the county” Fort Bend County District Attorney Brian Middleton said. “Human traffickers are skilled at avoiding detection and intimidating their victims. Our battle against human trafficking requires well trained officers and prosecutors as we well as collaboration with community members. We are committed to working with all agencies and the community to end human trafficking in Fort Bend County.”
Commissioner Andy Meyers, Judge KP George, Edward Gordon (Office of the District Attorney) and Rep. Pete Olson with Special Agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation
The Interstate 10 corridor is the number one route for human trafficking in the entire United States. Texas ranks second in the U.S. for the highest number of sex trafficking cases. There are an estimated 27 million victims of human trafficking in the world.