Members of the Central Minnesota Human Trafficking Task Force have learned the limits of some state laws in the last three years, and now they re seeking updates to the statutes.
Stearns County Attorney Janelle Kendall is among those asking for legislation that would increase penalties for certain human trafficking offenses. They re asking state lawmakers to classify sex trafficking as a violent crime, because it s not already.
The changes are in bills that already gained support in House and Senate committees. The language is the same in both versions of the bill, and supporters hope the policies will make it into an omnibus bill and pass into law this session.
Alexandria Man Charged With Trafficking Woman in St. Cloud Area
Thirty-five-year-old
Michael Williams is charged with sex trafficking and receiving profits from prostitution.
According to the criminal complaint, an undercover officer responded to an ad posted on a website known to advertise prostitution and struck an agreement to pay for sex acts at a St. Cloud area hotel.
When undercover officers arrived they saw Williams leaving the hotel. The officer texted the woman that he would not meet her because there was a man who appeared to be waiting outside. The woman denied being with a man at the hotel.