Minn. U.S. Attorney Honored For Efforts Against Sex Trafficking

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- The FBI says Minnesota is one of top 15 states in the country when it comes to sex trafficking of girls.

Federal officials think hundreds of girls ages 12 to 16 are being trafficked in Minnesota.

At a fundraiser in Minneapolis Thursday, a group called WATCH honored U.S. Attorney Andy Luger for his work to stop the problem.

WATCH works to make the justice system more responsive to crimes of violence against women and children.

Luger told WCCO that we can curb sex trafficking when more people are willing to talk about it, even though it is a tough conversation to have.

"If you're at a hotel, if you're at a mall, and you see young girls and they're walking away from the mall with an older man who doesn't seem to be related to them and there doesn't seem to be a real connection, those are the warning signs of trafficking," Luger said.

Luger says call 911 if you see that type of behavior.

He also believes businesses like hotels and restaurants need to play a role in attacking the problem.