United States Attorney James T. Jacks
Northern District of Texas

MONDAY, JUNE 21, 2010
http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/txn/

U. S. ATTORNEY PARTNERS WITH DALLAS POLICE DEPARTMENT,
FORT WORTH POLICE DEPARTMENT, U.S. IMMIGRATION AND CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT
AND MOSAIC FAMILY SERVICES
TO SPONSOR REGIONAL ANTI-TRAFFICKING CONFERENCE

More Than 300 to Attend June 22, 2010, Conference

DALLAS — James T. Jacks, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas, announces that his office has partnered with the Dallas and Fort Worth Police Departments, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Mosaic Family Services to present the 2010 North Texas Anti-Trafficking Regional Conference tomorrow, June 22, 2010, at the Hilton Hotel Arlington, 2401 E. Lamar Street, in Arlington, Texas. Approximately 300 members of law enforcement or representatives from professional social service agencies are expected to attend.

Members of the media are invited to attend opening remarks, beginning at 8:30 a.m., by U.S. Attorney Jacks, Deputy Special Agent in Charge Nancy Kratzer of ICE-Dallas, and Dr. Theron Bowman, Arlington Chief of Police. Following the remarks, they will be available for one-on-one interviews.

Human trafficking is a form of modern-day slavery. It is trafficking persons for the purpose of committing commercial sex acts or to subject them to involuntary servitude, peonage, debt bondage or slavery. While human trafficking does not require the crossing of an international border, and does not even require the transportation of victims from one locale to another, it is an international problem that has become big business - generating billions of dollars each year through the entrapment and exploitation of millions. Almost every country in the world is affected, either as a source or destination for victims, and unfortunately, the problem is growing.

This conference will provide training on various topics including: 1) laws available for use in human trafficking investigations/prosecutions; 2) the role of the Department of Justice, ICE and the Texas Human Trafficking Task Force; 3) recent successful investigations/prosecutions; and 4) best practices for working with victimized victims.

A highlight of the conference will be the presentation by Major Apichart Hattasin, of Thailand’s Transnational Crime Unit and Child/Woman Protection Unit, on Thailand’s and Southeast Asia’s efforts in combating human trafficking. Major Hattasin has extensive experience in working with U.S. law enforcement in responding to tips of suspected trafficking activity.

Others partnering to provide this training include the Safe City Commission, the North Texas Anti-Trafficking Team and the Tarrant County Alliance for Children.

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