USA: 7 People, Including Five From Minnesota, Have Been Charged In Human Trafficking Sting Operation Executed In Itasca County. Those Arrested Range Between Ages 20 And 56.

7 arrested for human trafficking in Itasca County https://t.co/NloWIZZPtI

— Duluth News Tribune (@duluthnews) February 20, 2021

Duluth News Tribune

7 arrested for human trafficking in Itasca County

written by Staff

Friday February 19, 2021

Authorities arrested and charged seven people during a three-day human trafficking operation in Itasca County that concluded Friday.

The Bureau of Criminal Apprehension led the operation in partnership with the Itasca County Sheriff's Office and the Tribes United Against Sex Trafficking Task Force, according to a news release from the Itasca County Attorney's Office.

Undercover agents and investigators spoke with suspects on several sex advertisement websites during the operation. Investigators then arrested the suspects as they arrived at arranged meeting places. All seven have been booked in the Itasca County and Pennington County jails.

“The charges arising from the three-day operation show that there is demand to sexually exploit young people in Northern Minnesota,” Itasca County Attorney Matti Adam said. “Partnering with other agencies in a proactive law enforcement effort helps detect those who prey on our young and vulnerable populations. I am thankful that Itasca County could partner with the task force in this effort.”

Those arrested range between ages 20 and 56.

• Chad Arther Dockendorf, 45, of Grand Rapids, was charged with solicitation of a person believed to be a minor and 4th degree DWI.
• Matthew Ty Hall, 32, of Mount Pleasant, Texas, was charged with solicitation of a person believed to be a minor.
• Derek Wayne Jokinen, 44, of Sawyer, Minnesota, was charged with solicitation of a person believed to be a minor.
• Bruce Duane Jones, 54, of Goodridge, Minnesota, was charged with communication of sexually explicit materials to a minor.
• Rusty James Marek, 56, of Grand Rapids, was charged with solicitation of a person believed to be a minor.
• Saihou Adrisa Sissoho, 20, of Chisholm, was charged with solicitation of a person believed to be a minor. Michael Kelly West, 53, of Rolla, Missouri, was charged with carrying a pistol without a permit and solicitation to engage in prostitution.

“This is about people making the choice to victimize innocent people, and we’re not going to stand for it,” said BCA Superintendent Drew Evans in a news release. “The BCA and our criminal justice partners are committed to stopping those who would buy other people for sex in our communities. It is not okay.”

Many agencies lent resources and expertise to the effort, including the Fond du Lac, Leech Lake Tribal, Cambridge, Thief River Falls, Minneapolis and St. Paul police departments; the Isanti, Kanabec, Polk, Anoka, Aitkin and Hennepin County sheriff’s offices; Homeland Security Investigations, and the Itasca and Ramsey County attorney’s offices, the BCA news release said.

“What this operation tells us is that there is demand to sexually exploit young people in Northern Minnesota,” Adam added. “This type of proactive law enforcement effort helps detect those who prey on our young and vulnerable populations. I am thankful that Itasca County could partner with the task force in this effort.”