Multi-agency human trafficking operation conducted in northern Indiana

The Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Tribal Police Department, working in conjunction with the Indiana State Police, Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi Tribal Police Department, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, recently conducted a targeted human trafficking operation in northern Indiana.

The operation focused on identifying individuals who may be victims of human trafficking or sex trafficking, making contact with those individuals, and connecting them with available services and assistance.

During the operation, investigators made several contacts and identified multiple individuals believed to be potential victims of human or sex trafficking. Those individuals were offered resources, services, and assistance based on their individual circumstances and needs.

Human trafficking continues to be a significant public-safety concern in Indiana and Michigan. In 2025, the National Human Trafficking Hotline identified 155 trafficking cases involving 199 victims in Indiana and 362 cases involving 576 victims in Michigan. Combined, that represents 517 reported trafficking situations involving 775 identified victims in the two states.

Those numbers represent only cases reported to or identified through the National Human Trafficking Hotline and should not be considered an estimate of the total amount of trafficking occurring in either state.

Sex trafficking accounted for a significant portion of the reported cases. Indiana reported 80 cases identified as sex trafficking and an additional 29 involving both sex and labor trafficking. Michigan reported 217 sex-trafficking cases and another 51 involving both sex and labor trafficking. Reported victims also included minors, with 33 minors identified in Indiana and 58 in Michigan.

Human trafficking within Tribal communities can be particularly difficult to identify and measure. A Government Accountability Office study found that nearly half of the Tribal law-enforcement agencies surveyed believed more trafficking was occurring within their jurisdictions than was being reported. The U.S. Department of Justice has also recognized sex trafficking and labor trafficking as public-safety concerns affecting Tribal communities and as issues that can intersect with the Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons crisis.

Human trafficking investigations frequently cross jurisdictional boundaries. A victim may be recruited in one community, advertised online in another, transported across state lines, and encountered by law enforcement in another jurisdiction. Successful investigations and victim identification depend heavily on cooperation and information sharing between agencies.

This operation demonstrates the importance of partnerships between Tribal, local, state, and federal law-enforcement agencies. By working together, agencies are better able to identify potential victims, share intelligence, provide access to victim services, and investigate individuals involved in the exploitation of others.

The participating agencies remain committed to working with law enforcement, prosecutors, victim-service providers, healthcare professionals, community organizations, hotels, casinos, and other partners throughout Northwest Indiana and Southwest Michigan to address human trafficking and protect those who may be vulnerable to exploitation.

Anyone who believes they are a victim of human trafficking, knows someone who may be a victim, or has information regarding suspected human trafficking may contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888 or text 233733.

Anyone in immediate danger should call 911. Suspected human trafficking activity may also be reported directly to local law enforcement.