Exhibit 2

Case 2:18-cr-00422-DJH Document 1059-3 Filed 09/23/20 Page 1 of 44
HUMAN

 TRAFFICKING

OFFICE OF 

ARIZONA ATTORNEY GENERAL

Mark Brnovich

2005 N Central Ave

Phoenix, AZ 85004

602.542.2123

400 W Congress

South Building, Ste. 315

Tucson, AZ 85701

520.628.6504

Outside Phoenix 

or Tucson 

Metro Area:

www.azag.gov 800.352.8431

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Letter from Mark Contents

Parents and law enforcement share a responsibility of working 

together to protect children from those who intend to do them 

harm. One of the most dangerous threats to children in Arizona 

is human trafficking. Often, when we hear about these types 

of horrific crimes we think that it could never happen to our 

family, but it is imperative to understand that human trafficking 

is occurring daily right here in our communities. Predators 

are developing new tactics to recruit children online, in our 

neighborhoods, and at our schools.

As your Attorney General, I want you to know we take this threat 

seriously. Human trafficking is more than just a crime, it 

is a profound tragedy for all of those who fall victim. That’s why 

it is vital for parents to know how to identify possible threats to 

their children, and how to respond if you see the warning signs.  

This booklet is a great place to start; it provides helpful tips 

to protect your loved ones and what to do if you suspect 

someone is at risk of becoming a victim of human trafficking. 

I also invite you to access additional resources on how to 

safeguard your family from human trafficking at our website, 

www.azag.gov.  

Working together, we can do a lot to keep our children safe.

Sincerely,

Mark Brnovich

ARIZONA ATTORNEY GENERAL

Mark Brnovich

What Is Human Trafficking?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-9

How Trafficking Breaks Down. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Human Trafficking vs Human Smuggling. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Should Arizonans Be Concerned?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Sex Trafficking: Victims’ Stories. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Who Can Be a Victim? How and Where Does It Happen?. . . . . . . . . . 20-23

Basic Stages of Grooming. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

Sex Trafficking: Myth vs Reality. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

Warning Signs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

How Can You Protect Your Children? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32-39

Responding to the Growing Issue of Sex Trafficking. . . . . . . . . . . . . 40-43

What Should You Do If You Suspect Your Child May Be 

Involved In Human Trafficking?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44

Resources. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46-47

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There are TWO types 

of human trafficking:

Human trafficking is 

a form of modernday slavery in which 

traffickers use force, 

fraud, or coercion to 

control victims.

What Is Human 

Trafficking?

Sex Trafficking

Labor Trafficking

Force: Physical restraint 

or violence, sexual assault.

Fraud: Intentionally 

misleading a victim, 

providing false offers of 

employment, marriage, 

or a better life.

Coercion: Threats, 

psychological abuse, debt 

bondage, taking and/or 

destroying legal documents, 

abuse of the legal process.

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The Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 (TVPA) defines the 

crime of sex trafficking as:

The recruitment, harboring, transportation, provision, or obtaining of 

a person for the purposes of a commercial sex act, in which the 

commercial sex act is induced by force, fraud, or coercion, or in 

which the person induced to perform such an act has not attained 18 

years of age. (22 USC § 7102)

Sex Trafficking

Sex trafficking is any sex act that is traded for 

something of value, including but not limited to:

• a place to stay • drugs and alcohol

• money • gifts or valuables

• food 

Source: ASU Office of Sex Trafficking Intervention Research, 

TRUST (Training and Resources United to Stop Trafficking)

There are 

approximately 

78,000 male 

online sex ad 

customers in 

Phoenix.

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In the United States, the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 

2000 (TVPA) defines labor trafficking as:

The recruitment, harboring, transportation, provision, or obtaining of a 

person for labor or services, through the use of force, fraud, or coercion 

for the purpose of subjection to involuntary servitude, peonage, debt 

bondage or slavery. (22 USC § 7102(9))

Labor Trafficking

Labor trafficking involves using force, fraud, 

or coercion to get individuals to work for little 

or no compensation. 

This includes forced labor in underground 

economies and sweatshops, as well as 

seemingly legitimate enterprises such as 

restaurants, hotels, traveling sales crews, 

construction sites, farming, landscaping, 

and nail salons. 

Source: U.S. Department of Justice

Human 

trafficking 

is the 

second 

largest 

criminal 

enterprise 

in the 

world.

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How Trafficking Breaks Down:

The Act-Means-Purpose Model 

(AMP) describes the elements 

that must be present for an act to 

be considered human trafficking. 

Human trafficking occurs when 

an individual uses force, fraud, or 

coercion to compel a victim to 

perform commercial sex acts or 

labor services.

Source: National Human Trafficking Resource Center

ACTION

RECRUITS

TRANSPORTS

PROVIDES

OBTAINS / HARBORS

MEANS PURPOSE

FRAUD

FORCE

COERCION

COMMERCIAL SEX ACTS

LABOR SERVICES

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Human Trafficking Human Smuggling

Human smuggling involves bringing (or attempting to bring) 

a person into a country in violation of immigration or other laws. 

Centers on exploitation

Involves elements of force, fraud, or coercion

Does not require crossing an international border

Persons trafficked are considered victims

Not voluntary

Centers on transportation and always involves 

crossing an international border

Persons are complicit in the act of smuggling, 

not necessarily victims

Those complicit in smuggling may eventually 

become victims depending on the circumstances 

in which they are smuggled

Source: Department of Homeland Security Blue Campaign 

VS

Human trafficking is the exploitation of a person for sex or labor. 

Human trafficking does not require movement or transport across 

borders - the exploitation is what makes the person a victim. 

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Should Arizonans 

Be Concerned?

Is this really a problem in our state?

Yes. Based on data gathered by the U.S. State Department, 

Arizona is a prime transit and destination area for both sex 

and labor trafficking in the United States. Sex trafficking is 

a high-profit, low-risk crime where the commodity, a human 

body, can be sold repeatedly, unlike drugs or weapons, where 

the product can only be sold once. 

The average age of entry into the 

sex trade in Arizona is 14 years old. 

Law enforcement has seen girls as 

young as 9 sold for sex.

• Geographic location; close proximity to the border and 

interstate highway networks

• Warm weather

• Home to an array of conferences and professional 

sporting events

• Close proximity to other tourist destinations, including 

Las Vegas and San Diego

Many of the factors that make our state a popular tourist 

destination also fuel sex trafficking, including:

Source: TRUST (Training and Resources United to Stop Trafficking, Phoenix Police Department VICE Unit, 

ASU Office of Sex Trafficking Intervention Research

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A teenage girl was having a fight with her 

parents. She left the house upset and went 

to a neighborhood restaurant. While she was 

crying, an attractive man in his 20’s approached 

her table. He was friendly, and offered to 

buy her dinner. After she finished eating, he 

suggested she stay at his place for the night to 

avoid her parents and “cool off.” The girl agreed, 

and he drove her 50 miles away to a part of 

town where she had never been. He took her 

phone away from her so she was unable to 

contact her parents or call for help. Eventually 

he told her that she owed him, and he began 

trafficking her for sex.

Sex Trafficking: 

Victims’ Stories

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A teen girl in the Phoenix metro area became a victim of human 

trafficking when she met a woman who promised her something 

her family couldn’t provide. The girl had wanted a cell phone for 

as long as she could remember and she was jealous of the other 

students at her school who already had them. The girl met a 

woman who promised to give her a cell phone, and in turn, the 

chance to fit in at school. After she gave the girl the phone, the 

woman demanded payment in the form of sex acts with men at a 

nearby apartment. The woman threatened to take away the phone 

and tell the girl’s mother what she had done if she did not do as 

the woman demanded. Day after day, the teen went to the hotel 

and performed sex acts in exchange for keeping her cell phone 

and her secret.

Occasionally, the girl was able to talk her way out of these 

situations, but ultimately she was forced to do things no one 

should be required to do.

Throughout the month that the teen was forced into this activity, 

she still maintained good grades and continued attending school 

regularly. She even came home in time to meet her curfew and 

managed to keep up appearances, so it was nearly impossible for 

her mother to know that her daughter was involved in something 

so dangerous.

Fortunately, the teen’s traffickers were eventually caught and she 

was removed from the situation. The girl’s mother was completely 

shocked that her daughter had been victimized for weeks, and 

she was left looking for answers and ways to help her daughter. 

Unfortunately, there are still barriers to victims seeking help in 

dealing with the trauma of being trafficked.

Victims’ Stories

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Who Can Be a Victim?

Anyone can be a victim of sex trafficking, including 

men, women, and children. 

In 2017, an estimated 1 out of 7 endangered runaways reported 

to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children were 

likely child sex trafficking victims. Of those, 88% were in the care 

of social services or foster care when they ran. 

90% of children trafficked in the United States are U.S. citizens.

50% of trafficking victims are under the age of 16.

The average age 

a girl enters the 

commercial sex 

trade is 12-14 years 

old. For boys, it’s 

even younger, just 

11-13 years old. Sources: U.S. Department of Justice, National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime

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Schools

Libraries

Shelters

Parks

Juvenile 

Detention Centers

Bus Stops &

Bus Rides

Abandoned

Buildings

Online

Malls

Parties

Where Does It Happen?

Traffickers, also known as pimps, recruit their victims through 

a variety of means, including:

Social media: websites such as Facebook, Instagram, and 

chatrooms like Omegle, YesIChat, and E-Chat

Places: shopping malls, bus stops, school, after school events, 

parties, shelters, parks, and anywhere that teens frequent

78,000 men in Phoenix are online sex ad customers.

Over 300 ads for adult services are placed each day in Phoenix – 

with an estimated 20% for girls under 18.

1/3 of runaway children will be 

lured into prostitution within 48 

hours of leaving home.

Source: National Runaway Switchboard

Recruitment Locations

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How Does It Happen?

Traffickers may use psychological manipulation, 

deception, physical violence, threats, and/

or sexual assault to get their victim to feel 

vulnerable, trapped, and powerless. 

Oftentimes, the pimp will threaten to harm 

people close to their victim, such as family 

members or friends, as a way to isolate their 

victim and maintain their compliance.

They may also take suggestive photos or videos 

of their victims to use as both blackmail and 

advertisements for sexual services.

Sources: ASU Office of Sex Trafficking Intervention Research, The McCain Institute, Thorn

Victims are often recruited by a “boyfriend” or “girlfriend,” 

but may be solicited by a friend, peer, family member, 

or gang member. 

75% of underage sex trafficking 

victims said they had been 

advertised or sold online. 

Within 36-48 

hours of being 

on the run, many 

runaways will be 

approached by a 

pimp, trafficker, 

or perpetrator 

looking to sexually 

exploit them.

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Basic Stages of Grooming 

for Sexual Exploitation

TARGETING: Traffickers target victims who have 

some noticeable vulnerability: emotional neediness, 

low self-confidence, or economic stress.

“Up to this point, they had never tried to touch me, never made 

me feel uncomfortable or unsafe, or that they would harm me.”

“I trusted them, they were my friends as I saw it, until one night 

my main perpetrator raped me, quite brutally as well, in front of 

a number of people.”

“Well if I didn’t go out and see them they are going to get my 

mum and are going to rape her.”

GAINING TRUST & INFORMATION: Obtaining 

information about the victim is key. This can be done 

through casual conversations with the victim or with 

parents. Traffickers often mix well with other adults.

FILLING A NEED: The information gained allows the 

trafficker to fill a need in the victim’s life, making the 

victim dependent on them in some way: buying gifts, 

being a friend, beginning a romantic relationship, or 

providing drugs and alcohol.

ABUSE BEGINS: The trafficker begins claiming that 

gifts or services given to the victim must be repaid, 

whether it be money, drugs, car rides, or mobile 

phones. In most cases, the trafficker demands sex as 

the method of repayment.

ISOLATION: The trafficker creates times to be alone 

with the victim. The trafficker will also begin taking 

a major role in the victim’s life and will attempt to 

distance the victim from friends and family.

MAINTAIN CONTROL: In many cases the trafficker 

maintains control of the victim through threats, 

violence, fear, or blackmail.

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Sex Trafficking: Myth VS Reality

Human trafficking only occurs within and 

between foreign countries.

Human trafficking involves a form of travel, 

transportation, or movement across borders.

Victims will immediately ask for help or assistance.

Victims always come from situations of poverty 

or from small rural areas.

Human trafficking happens everywhere, including within 

the United States and does not require crossing an 

international border. 

Trafficking does not require transportation and is not the same 

as human smuggling. However, human smuggling can become 

human trafficking. 

Victims often do not seek help and may not self-identify as 

victims of crime.

Poverty alone is not a single causal factor or universal indicator 

of being a victim. Anyone can be a victim, regardless of their 

socioeconomic status, location, or gender. 

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Warning Signs

A victim of sex trafficking may:

• talk about an older boyfriend/girlfriend

• have expensive gifts from a new friend/boyfriend/girlfriend

• be inexplicably absent from school

• run away from home

• show signs of physical injury such as bruises or fractures

• be inappropriately dressed

• indicate signs of drug addiction 

• exhibit malnutrition

• reference traveling to other cities

• exhibit changes in demeanor: fear, anxiety, 

depression, nervousness

• have a new tattoo of a person’s name, barcode, or other 

strange symbol

 *It is important to note that this is by no means a comprehensive list of all signs of human trafficking, nor 

are all youth who exhibit these signs trafficking victims. Rather, this list is best used as a guide to help 

determine if further action is appropriate. 

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Make it a habit to communicate with your child. Ask questions about 

their internet use and who they talk to online. Set aside time each day 

to ask them what is happening at school, in their life, and with their 

extracurricular activities. 

Know the people in your child’s life, meet their friends and get to know 

their friends’ parent(s)/guardian(s).

Ask questions about what your child’s friends are up to. If your child 

makes a new friend, be sure to meet that new friend and their family. 

When you see instances of “stranger danger” in pop culture, be it 

television, movies, or news articles, point out those examples to your 

child and discuss the scenarios together. 

How Can You Protect 

Your Children? 

Spot red flags. Foster open lines of communication with 

your children and know what to do if you suspect they may 

be in danger or involved in sex trafficking.

Talk to your children about healthy and unhealthy relationships. Help 

them understand that sometimes a boyfriend or girlfriend may seem great, 

when in reality they may be displaying unusual or dangerous behavior.

Take notice if your child suddenly has new clothing, jewelry, or other 

possessions. If they can’t reasonably explain how they acquired these 

items, it may be a sign that something is not right. 

If your child ever tells you that they may be a victim of human trafficking 

or any crime that puts their welfare in danger, try to remain calm and 

contact your local police department. Your child will be more likely to 

tell you what has happened if you have a calm demeanor and they don’t 

feel like they may get in trouble for what has happened.

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Talking with Kids and Teens 

about Internet Safety 

New apps and websites pop up every day, making it difficult to 

stay on top of what kids and teens are accessing on the internet. 

Below are tips for staying ahead of the game when it comes to 

the internet, including how to make sure your child isn’t accessing 

dangerous material online.

• Establish household rules regarding internet use, and make sure that parental 

controls are set up on all devices.

• Familiarize yourself with the websites and apps your child uses.

• Both you and your child should understand:

how the app or website works, the age requirements, and the various 

capabilities it may have (photo sharing, video, messaging, etc.).

• Over half (56%) of kids sexually solicited online were asked to send a picture; 

27% of the pictures were sexually-oriented in nature.

Source: “Online Victimization of Youth: Five Years Later,” published in 2006 by the University of New Hampshire Crimes 

Against Children Research Center, the U.S. Department of Justice Office of Juvenile and Delinquency Prevention, 

and National Center for Missing & Exploited Children.

If your child/student uses social media:

• Communicate with them about their experiences. 

• Let them know that most social media sites have blocking or reporting 

capabilities to report any harassing or unwanted contact.

• Explain to them why they should not display or give out personal 

information and why it is dangerous.

• Insist that your child/student never meet anyone in person that they 

have communicated with solely online.

1 in 7 youth online 

have received a 

sexual solicitation 

or were approached 

over the internet. 

56% of the youth 

who received 

solicitations did not 

tell anyone.

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Helpful Conversation 

Starters

It can be uncomfortable to start a conversation about serious and 

difficult topics, including human trafficking. Here are a few helpful 

guidelines to get the conversation started. 

Ask: What do you know about “trafficking?”

No adult should ever ask a young person to do things that make them 

uncomfortable or demand sex in exchange for clothes, jewelry, money, 

food, or a place to stay. When a situation like this occurs, the adult 

is taking advantage of that young person, the victim, even if the child 

seemed like they wanted to do what they were asked. 

Ask: What would you do if you were in a dangerous situation and it 

wasn’t safe to call 911?

Safe Place operates TXT 4 HELP, which can be used in situations where 

calling 911 may pose immediate danger. 

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Ask: Do you know where you can go or what to do if someone 

approaches you?

If your child is in immediate danger, they can always call 911 or get to 

a safe location to call for help. Many businesses and organizations also 

participate in Safe Place, which means anyone in crisis or in danger 

can go there for help. Every QuikTrip gas station and light rail station is a 

Safe Place, in addition to many hospitals, police stations, libraries, fire 

stations, and banks. All Safe Place locations display the yellow sign below. 

Step 1 A young person enters a Safe Place 

and asks for help. 

Step 2 The site employee finds a 

comfortable place for the youth to 

wait while they call the licensed 

Safe Place agency. 

Step 3 Within 20-30 minutes, a qualified 

Safe Place volunteer or agency 

staff member arrives to talk with 

the youth and, if necessary, provide 

transportation to the agency. 

Step 4 Once at the agency, counselors 

meet with the youth and provide 

support. Agency staff makes sure 

the youth and their family receive 

the help and professional services 

they need.

Helpful Conversation 

Starters

How Does It Work?

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Responding To 

the Growing Issue of 

Sex Trafficking 

Over the last several years, the state of Arizona has made 

significant strides toward both eradicating human trafficking 

and educating law enforcement officials and civilians about 

the very real and dangerous impact human trafficking has on 

the people of Arizona. 

One of the major accomplishments we have made as a state 

is the passage of a new law in 2014, which targets those who 

purchase sex in Arizona and individuals who force victims to 

provide those services. The law, HB2454, addressed the four 

main groups that are involved in human trafficking: johns, 

traffickers, advertisers, and victims. HB2454 increased penalties 

for johns and traffickers, created new laws for advertisers, 

and instituted new protections for victims. On the next page, 

you will find a summary of HB2454 and the new sentencing 

guidelines for perpetrators of this crime.

HB 2454 — Effective July 21, 2014

JOHNS 

Raised the presumptive sentencing for such cases mentioned above and subjects 

all offenders who knew “or should have known” to a Class 2 Felony.

TRAFFICKERS 

Creates a higher sentencing range for traffickers in cases involving minors that 

increases the presumptive sentence:

From 10.5 years to 13.5 years for a first offense,

From 15.75 years to 24 years for a trafficker with a prior felony conviction, 

From 28 years to 31 years for a trafficker with two or more prior felonies.

ADVERTISERS

Visual depiction of a minor in an ad for prostitution is now a Class 2 Felony. 

Required licensed escorts, escort agencies, massage therapists, and massage 

therapy businesses to include license number in any advertisement.

VICTIMS 

Protects victims by limiting the amount of identifying information released in 

court documents and to the general public. Adds child prostitution and sex 

trafficking to list of acts that allows anti-racketeering fund monies to be used 

for victim services.

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Working Together 

To Make Our 

Neighborhoods Safer:

A Community Response to Human Trafficking

Beyond talking to your children about the issue of human 

trafficking and monitoring their internet use, there are 

many steps your neighborhood or parent group can take 

collectively to make sure your children stay safe. 

Education: You have already read the important information 

provided in this booklet about the dangers of human trafficking 

and its prevalence in our state. This is a great start, but 

educating your network of fellow parents, school officials, and 

neighbors is the next step to making sure everyone is involved 

in protecting Arizona’s children. 

Get involved: Join a parent group, PTO, or find another opportunity 

to be involved in your child’s school. This is a great way to find out 

what other parents and educators are hearing and observing.

Observe: Having open eyes and ears in your community is essential 

to making sure that suspicious activity in your area doesn’t go 

unreported or unrecognized. As individuals, we aren’t always going 

to be able to notice everything that goes on in our neighborhoods. 

Joining a local Block Watch and encouraging others to do the same 

will ensure that there is a collective effort to keep our kids safe. 

If your neighborhood doesn’t have a Block Watch 

program currently, you can always start one! 

Contact your local police department for more 

information on how to get started. 

You can always request a presentation about human 

trafficking from the Arizona Attorney General’s 

Office, our Community Outreach division will 

present to any group and can go anywhere within 

the state of Arizona. There is never a charge for this 

service. You can also request copies of this booklet 

for those who are interested.

Requests for presentations and publications can be 

made at https://www.azag.gov/outreach or by calling 

602.542.2123.

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What Should You Do 

If You Suspect Your 

Child May Be Involved 

In Human Trafficking?

The first thing you should do if someone is in immediate 

danger is call 911.

You can also call the National Human Trafficking 

Resource Center hotline at 

1-888-373-7888

Or text HELP to: BeFree (233733). 

The National Human Trafficking Resource Center Hotline is 

a national, toll-free hotline, available to answer calls from 

anywhere in the United States, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 

in more than 200 languages.

If you suspect your child may be a victim of 

human trafficking, try to remain calm and talk 

to them about what they have experienced. Try 

to avoid interrogating them, as this often makes 

victims feel that it is their fault. 

Encourage your kids who have cell phones to 

program BeFree (233733) into their contacts. 

If they are ever in a situation where they cannot 

make a phone call, texting HELP to this hotline 

can connect them to people who can help. 

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Resources Community Outreach 

and Education

For more information contact

Community Outreach and Education, 

Arizona Attorney General’s Office

2005 North Central Avenue

Phoenix, AZ 85004

Publications available from the Arizona 

Attorney General’s Office include:

• Top Consumer Scams

• Consumer Guide for Young Adults

• Internet Safety

• Life Care Planning Packets

• Senior Tool Kit

• Scam Alerts

Presentations available from the 

Attorney General’s Office include:

• Human Trafficking for Students 

and Parents

• Consumer Scams

• Task Force Against Senior Abuse (TASA)

• Life Care Planning

• Internet Safety for Parents and Students

• Anti-Bullying for Parents and Students

• Suicide Prevention for Parents and 

Students

• Opioid Awareness and Prevention for 

Parents and Students

Phoenix

602-542-2123

Outside Phoenix Metro Area

1-800-352-8431 

communityservices@azag.gov

www.azag.gov/outreach

www.polarisproject.org

Text INFO or HELP to BeFree (233733) 

humantraffickinghotline.org socialwork.asu.edu/stir

umom.org

www.dhs.gov/blue-campaign

www.trustaz.org

www.sharedhope.org www.phxdreamcenter.org

www.nationalsafeplace.org

Text the word “safe” and your current 

location (city/state/zip) to 69866

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OFFICE OF 

ARIZONA ATTORNEY GENERAL

Mark Brnovich

2005 N Central Ave

Phoenix, AZ 85004

602.542.2123

400 W Congress

South Building, Ste. 315

Tucson, AZ 85701

520.628.6504

Outside Phoenix 

or Tucson 

Metro Area:

www.azag.gov 800.352.8431

HUMAN 

 TRAFFICKING

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ARIZONA ATTORNEY GENERAL

Mark Brnovich

Letter from Mark

Human trafficking is one of the most alarming and devastating 

crimes that often impacts teenagers. Many people think 

trafficking only involves people in remote locations around 

the world, but the shocking reality is that it is happening right 

here in Arizona. Victims may be targeted by predators when 

they least expect it, online, at shopping malls, and in our 

neighborhood schools.

Human traffickers don’t care about your gender, race, or 

socioeconomic background - they look to recruit and exploit 

vulnerable victims wherever they can.

As Attorney General, I have made it a priority for my office to help 

protect you and every Arizona teenager from these predators. 

But the best protection is for you to be educated about human 

trafficking to ensure that you never fall victim to it. It is important 

for us to have an open and honest conversation about this threat 

and what we can do to prevent it from spreading.

This booklet provides an introduction to avoiding human 

trafficking. I strongly encourage you to read and discuss it 

with your family and friends. You can also go to www.azag.gov 

to find more ways to be safe.

Sincerely,

Mark Brnovich

Contents

What Is Human Trafficking?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-9

How Trafficking Breaks Down. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Sex Trafficking: Myth vs Reality. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Sex Trafficking: Victims’ Stories. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Who Can Be a Victim of Sex Trafficking?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

The Trafficker. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

How Do Traffickers Find Their Victims?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22-27

How to Keep Yourself Safe Online. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

What Should You Do If Someone Approaches You?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

Warning Signs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

What Should You Do If You or Someone You Know Has 

Become Involved In Human Trafficking?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34

Resources. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36-37

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There are TWO types 

of human trafficking:

Human trafficking is 

a form of modernday slavery in which 

traffickers use force, 

fraud, or coercion to 

control victims.

What Is Human 

Trafficking?

Sex Trafficking

Labor Trafficking

Force: Physical restraint 

or violence, sexual assault.

Fraud: Intentionally 

misleading a victim, 

providing false offers of 

employment, marriage, 

or a better life.

Coercion: Threats, 

psychological abuse, debt 

bondage, taking and/or 

destroying legal documents, 

abuse of the legal process.

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No person should ever ask a young person to do things 

that make them uncomfortable or demand sex in 

exchange for clothes, jewelry, money, food, or a place 

to stay. When this occurs, the adult is taking advantage 

of the young person, even if the victim seemed like they 

willingly did what they were asked. If the victim is under 

the age of 18, a request or demand for sex in exchange 

for something is considered sex trafficking. If the victim 

is over 18, the perpetrator must use force, fraud, or 

coercion for this situation to be considered trafficking. 

Sex Trafficking

Every 

30 seconds 

another person 

becomes 

a victim of 

human 

trafficking.

Sex trafficking is any sex act that is traded for something of value, 

including but not limited to:

• money • drugs and alcohol

• food • gifts or valuables 

• a place to stay Source: Building Partnerships to Eradicate Modern-Day Slavery Report of 

Recommendations to the President, April 2013

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What Is Labor Trafficking?

Labor traffickers use false promises of high-paying jobs, 

education, or opportunity of travel to manipulate a victim into 

working in unsafe, dangerous conditions for little or no pay.

The most common forms of labor trafficking include working as 

domestic servants, on farms, or as factory workers. But victims 

of labor trafficking may be employed anywhere, including 

door-to-door sales, restaurants, construction, carnivals, or health 

and beauty services.

Since 2007, the National Human Trafficking Resource Center by 

Polaris has received over 5,300 reports of labor trafficking. 

According to a 2013 study 

conducted by San Diego 

State University, at least 31 

percent of undocumented, 

Spanish-speaking migrant 

workers have experienced 

illegal labor trafficking.

46% 27%

10%

8%

Other

Prostitution

and sex services

Source: UC Berkeley

Domestic

service

Agriculture

5% Sweatshops 

or factories

4% Restaurant 

and hotel work

Modern-day slavery in America

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How Trafficking Breaks Down:

The Act-Means-Purpose Model 

(AMP) describes the elements 

that must be present for an act to 

be considered human trafficking. 

Human trafficking occurs when 

an individual uses force, fraud, or 

coercion to compel a victim to 

perform commercial sex acts or 

labor services. 

Source: National Human Trafficking Resource Center

ACTION

RECRUITS

TRANSPORTS

PROVIDES

OBTAINS / HARBORS

MEANS PURPOSE

FRAUD

FORCE

COERCION

COMMERCIAL SEX ACTS

LABOR SERVICES

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Sex Trafficking: Myth VS Reality

Human trafficking only occurs within and 

between foreign countries.

Human trafficking involves a form of travel, 

transportation, or movement across borders.

Victims will immediately ask for help or assistance.

Victims always come from situations of poverty 

or from small rural areas.

Human trafficking happens everywhere, including within 

the United States and does not require crossing an 

international border. 

Trafficking does not require transportation and is not the same 

as human smuggling. However, human smuggling can become 

human trafficking. 

Victims often do not seek immediate help and may not 

self-identify as victims of crime.

Poverty alone is not a single causal factor or universal indicator 

of being a victim. Anyone can be a victim, regardless of their 

socioeconomic status, location, or gender. 

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A teenage girl was having a fight with her 

parents. She left the house upset and went 

to a neighborhood restaurant. While she was 

crying, an attractive man in his 20’s approached 

her table. He was friendly, and offered to 

buy her dinner. After she finished eating, he 

suggested she stay at his place for the night to 

avoid her parents and “cool off.” The girl agreed, 

and he drove her 50 miles away to a part of 

town where she had never been. He took her 

phone away from her so she was unable to 

contact her parents or call for help. Eventually 

he told her that she owed him, and he began 

trafficking her for sex.

Sex Trafficking: 

Victims’ Stories

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A teen girl in the Phoenix metro area became a victim of human 

trafficking when she met a woman who promised her something 

her family couldn’t provide. The girl had wanted a cell phone for 

as long as she could remember and she was jealous of the other 

students at her school who already had them. The girl met a 

woman who promised to give her a cell phone, and in turn, the 

chance to fit in at school. After she gave the girl the phone, the 

woman demanded payment in the form of sex acts with men at a 

nearby apartment. The woman threatened to take away the phone 

and tell the girl’s mother what she had done if she did not do as 

the woman demanded. Day after day, the teen went to the hotel 

and performed sex acts in exchange for keeping her cell phone 

and her secret.

Occasionally, the girl was able to talk her way out of these 

situations, but ultimately she was forced to do things no one 

should be required to do.

Throughout the month that the teen was forced into this activity, 

she still maintained good grades and continued attending school 

regularly. She even came home in time to meet her curfew and 

managed to keep up appearances, so it was nearly impossible for 

her mother to know that her daughter was involved in something 

so dangerous.

Fortunately, the teen’s traffickers were eventually caught and she 

was removed from the situation. The girl’s mother was completely 

shocked that her daughter had been victimized for weeks. She 

was left looking for answers and ways to help her daughter. 

Unfortunately, there are still barriers to victims seeking help in 

dealing with the trauma of being trafficked.

Victims’ Stories

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Who Can Be a Victim 

of Sex Trafficking?

Human trafficking is a crime that can happen to anyone, 

anywhere, at any time. It affects boys and girls, rural and 

urban communities, and it doesn’t discriminate based 

on good grades or popularity. 

Simple answer: Anyone!

YOU COULD 

BE A 

VICTIM

Are you a boy 

or girl?

Do you live 

in the U.S.?

Do you have 

responsible

friends?

Boy

Girl

Under 13

Over 13

Of 

course

Maybe 

not

Yes

Yes

No

No

How old 

are you?

Are you a 

good 

student?

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The Trafficker

Anyone can be a trafficker, including both men and women of 

varying personality types and backgrounds. Another word for a sex 

trafficker is a pimp, and upon first meeting one of these pimps, 

most victims are not alarmed or afraid. A trafficker’s goal when 

he or she first meets a victim is to make that person feel special 

and play to their ego. This makes it difficult for a victim to spot 

a trafficker because the trafficker doesn’t usually seem scary or 

threatening, but instead usually exhibits the opposite behavior.

A trafficker will often act like a loving boyfriend or girlfriend, giving 

lots of gifts, and promising the victim a better life. However, over 

time, the trafficker may shift toward what we call “Gorilla Pimp” 

behavior. Once a trafficker has earned the victim’s trust, he or 

she can begin to exhibit dangerous conduct, often using violence, 

threats, intimidation, and kidnapping to force victims into further 

sex trafficking.

Below is an outline of the different characteristics of the two 

types of pimp: the Romeo and the Gorilla.

Romeo Pimp:

• Acts like a doting “boyfriend” 

or “girlfriend”

• Gives gifts

• Is romantic

• Makes victims feel special

• Charms and flatters

• Promises a happier life 

Gorilla Pimp:

• Abuses and intimidates 

to assert control

• Uses violence

• Threatens the victim

• Uses force, kidnapping

• Uses blackmail

• Drugs the victim 

Sex traffickers exploit an average of 4-6 victims each 

year, and can make $150,000-$200,000 per victim.

Source: U.S. Justice Department, National Center for Missing and Exploited Children

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How Do Traffickers Find 

Their Victims?

Traffickers often go to highly populated places, such as gas 

stations or shopping malls, to find their victims. Parties, bus stops, 

schools, shelters, and parks are also locations frequented by 

traffickers.

Once a trafficker engages with a target, they continue the 

grooming process to earn the trust of their victim.

Traffickers may try to convince their victim that they can give 

them a better life, including new clothes, vacations, technology, 

money, or a job.

Many victims become romantically involved with someone who 

then forces or manipulates them into sex trafficking. Some are 

forced into sex trafficking by their parents or other family members.

While sex trafficking may begin with an abduction, it is more 

common for victims to begin meeting with their trafficker 

willingly. The victim may choose to “date” this individual, go to 

their house, or attend a party with them.

There are also examples of predators falsely promising modeling 

jobs and making plans to meet their victim for a photoshoot. 

But when their victim shows up for the photoshoot, the trafficker 

prevents them from leaving or forces them to commit sexual acts.

Less than 1⁄4 of child abductions are by a stranger, with 

more girls being abducted than boys. Source: AZICAC

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Case 2:18-cr-00422-DJH Document 1059-3 Filed 09/23/20 Page 37 of 44
Schools

Libraries

Shelters

Parks

Juvenile 

Detention Centers

Bus Stops &

Bus Rides

Abandoned

Buildings

Online

Malls

Parties

Recruitment Locations

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A Top Recruiting Tool: 

Social Media

Pimps and traffickers make accounts on social networking 

websites, such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to ‘friend’ 

young boys and girls.

They may initiate meeting up or they may use social media 

to get more information about the lives of their target, including 

phone numbers, addresses, and identification of friends and family.

Social media may also allow traffickers to get a better 

understanding of their target’s interests, what they like and don’t 

like, and how they interact with the people in their lives.

Traffickers’ social media accounts often look very legitimate. 

However, traffickers are usually hiding who they really are. It’s 

common for them to tailor 

their profile to trick young 

people into believing that 

they are speaking with 

someone of similar age. For 

example, you may receive 

a friend request from 

someone who says they are 

17, when in reality they may 

be a 45-year-old adult who 

is using someone else’s 

pictures or information.

_shy_gurl_90210

Photo

_shy_gurl_90210

_shy_gurl_90210 Thank U!

The_StarrkAgency

So nice to be hangin’ outside today!

Wow, you are stunning! So cute...

The_StarrkAgency Have you ever modeled? Our

Agency is always looking for fresh faces! Do you 

have any casual photos you can DM me?

Super fun walk! 

153 likes

_shy_gurl_90210 OMG no but thanks! I have a few...

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How To Keep Yourself 

Safe Online

• Keep your profiles on private and do not accept any 

users that you do not know.

• Ask: “Have I ever met them in the real world?” 

to decide if you should friend them or not.

• Never give out your phone number or other contact 

information to any strangers that you meet. 

• Be careful what personal information you put online 

or on social media. This includes where you go to 

school, your hometown, and your birth date. Think 

twice about the photos you post.

• Disable “location services” on your electronic 

devices so that your whereabouts aren’t public 

information.

• If a friend has personal, sensitive information 

about you online, ask them to take it down.

• If a user will not stop requesting you, posting inappropriate 

pictures, or engaging in unwanted contact with you, tell an adult 

immediately. All social media sites have the ability to report 

users. If someone is bothering you, report them. 

• Be careful what you post online. It is a myth that what you post 

online can be deleted. Once it’s online, you can’t take it back. 

If you wouldn’t feel comfortable with your parents, teacher, 

principal, or future employer seeing it, it has no place being 

posted on the internet. 

1 in 7 youth online have received a sexual 

solicitation or approach over the internet.

“Online Victimization of Youth: 

Five Years Later,” published in 

2006 by the University of New 

Hampshire Crimes Against 

Children Research Center, the 

U.S. Department of Justice Office 

of Juvenile and Delinquency 

Prevention, and National Center 

for Missing & Exploited Children

Online Victimization of Youth: Five Years Later, 2006

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What Should You 

Do If Someone 

Approaches You?

Traffickers can approach you anytime, anywhere. It’s 

important to be prepared if one of these predators tries 

to meet you in the real world. If someone is making you 

feel uncomfortable, or if a stranger starts offering you 

gifts or promises of exciting opportunities, these are 

red flags. It is important not to ignore these signs – if 

something feels wrong or sounds too good to be true, 

it probably is. It’s always important to tell an adult that 

you trust if a stranger approached you, even if the person 

seemed harmless and contacted you in a public place.

• Never go anywhere alone, and always tell someone where you are going. No one is 

ever too old to use the buddy system. 

• If someone is making you feel uncomfortable or unsafe, do your best to find an 

adult you trust. If you can’t find an adult that you know, get to a safe location as 

soon as possible. 

• Program the phone numbers of adults you trust into your cell phone, or write 

them down and keep them with you at all times. You can also include the National 

Human Trafficking Hotline number, which is answered 24 hours a day, 7 days a 

week: 1-888-373-7888.

• Find a location that participates in the Safe Place program. Hospitals, libraries, 

police stations, banks, and many businesses are participants. If you go to one of 

these locations, they can get you help. All Safe Place locations display the yellow 

sign below on the outside of their building:

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Warning Signs

 *It is important to note that this is by no means a comprehensive list of all signs of human trafficking, nor 

are all youth who exhibit these signs trafficking victims. Rather, this list is best used as a guide to help 

determine if further action is appropriate. 

A victim of sex trafficking may:

• talk about an older boyfriend/girlfriend

• have expensive gifts from a new friend/boyfriend/girlfriend

• be inexplicably absent from school

• run away from home

• show signs of physical injury such as bruises or fractures

• be inappropriately dressed

• indicate signs of drug addiction 

• exhibit malnutrition

• reference traveling to other cities

• exhibit changes in demeanor: fear, anxiety, 

depression, nervousness

• have a new tattoo of a person’s name, barcode, or other 

strange symbol

Within 36-48 

hours of being 

on the run, many 

runaways will be 

approached by a 

pimp, trafficker, 

or perpetrator 

looking to sexually 

exploit them.

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What should you do if you 

or someone you know 

has become involved in 

human trafficking?

The best thing you can do if someone is in immediate 

danger is call 911.

You can also call the National Human Trafficking 

Resource Center hotline at 

1-888-373-7888

Or text HELP to: BeFree (233733). 

You should also report what you know to a trusted 

adult in your life. This could be your parent, guardian, 

teacher, or a police officer. 

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Resources Community Outreach 

and Education

For more information contact

Community Outreach and Education, 

Arizona Attorney General’s Office

2005 North Central Avenue

Phoenix, AZ 85004

Publications available from the Arizona 

Attorney General’s Office include:

• Top Consumer Scams

• Consumer Guide for Young Adults

• Internet Safety

• Life Care Planning Packets

• Senior Tool Kit

• Scam Alerts

Presentations available from the 

Attorney General’s Office include:

• Human Trafficking for Students

and Parents

• Consumer Scams

• Task Force Against Senior Abuse (TASA)

• Life Care Planning

• Internet Safety for Parents and Students

• Anti-Bullying for Parents and Students

• Suicide Prevention for Parents and

Students

• Opioid Awareness and Prevention for

Parents and Students

Phoenix

602-542-2123

Outside Phoenix Metro Area

1-800-352-8431 

communityservices@azag.gov

www.azag.gov/outreach

www.polarisproject.org

Text INFO or HELP to BeFree (233733) 

humantraffickinghotline.org socialwork.asu.edu/stir

umom.org

www.dhs.gov/blue-campaign

www.trustaz.org

www.sharedhope.org www.phxdreamcenter.org

www.nationalsafeplace.org

Text the word “safe” and your current 

location (city/state/zip) to 69866

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