U.S. Attorney Maria Chapa Lopez Announces Formation Of Tampa Bay Human Trafficking Task Force

Tampa, Florida – United States Attorney Maria Chapa Lopez announces the formation of the Tampa Bay Human Trafficking Task Force, which held its first meeting on May 16, 2019. The task force consists of federal, state, and local law enforcement and prosecutors, along with several victims’ services organizations. Members of the task force will work collectively to improve upon the detection, investigation, prosecution, and victim assistance efforts in human trafficking matters throughout the Tampa Bay area.

“Combating human trafficking is a priority for the Department of Justice and our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners,” said U.S. Attorney Chapa Lopez. “The Tampa Division of the United States Attorney’s Office covers eight counties and serves a population of over 4.4 million people. We intend to combine the resources, efforts and expertise of our task force partners to fight human trafficking at every level, from prevention, investigation and enforcement, to supporting the victims of these heinous crimes.”

For more information about the Tampa Bay Human Trafficking Task Force, please contact AUSA Mandy Riedel or Victim Coordinator Chris Griffiths at 813-274-6000.