In a press conference given by the Huron County Sheriff in Bad Axe, Chief Kelly Hanson outlined a multi-agency task force directed to target those seeking underage sex trafficking and human trafficking. Sheriff Kelly Hanson was flanked by Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson, Sanilac County Sheriff Paul Rich, Detective Kevin Knoblock from the Bad Axe Police Department, and Huron County Prosecutor Tim Rutkowski.

Hanson opened the conference by noting, “In my 40 years of being involved in law enforcement, I don’t ever recall being part of an operation that had such eye-opening success.” Next, the Sheriff gave an overview of a Tri-County alliance that started in June of 2021 and was directed at curtailing human trafficking and underage solicitation of minors for sex.

Three Huron County men were arrested on June 12th this week due to the efforts of this multi-agency task force. The arrests targeted individuals who seek sex from minors and human trafficking. The three are charged with Child Sexually Explicit activity, a 20-year felony, using a computer to conduct that crime, a 20-year felony, and a third count, for which we are still seeking verification. The three are each held in the Huron County Jail on a $500,000 bond.

Sheriff Hanson’s Press Conference

Representatives from the agencies involved held a joint press conference on the task force at the Huron County Sheriff’s Office in Bad Axe at 10 a.m. Friday. The Huron Daily Tribune recorded the conference on this page Video: Law enforcement agencies team up to target human trafficking