Seven recovered in human trafficking ring

Last updated: September 15, 2026

VICKSBURG, Miss. (VDN) — Attorney General Lynn Fitch announced that her Human Trafficking Task Force led Mississippi’s participation in a national human trafficking operation that spanned across the country. In Mississippi, the operation in Southaven led to the recovery of seven victims.

“My office is committed to taking criminals who traffic people off our streets and equally committed to setting victims on the road to recovery,” said Attorney General Fitch. “Developing partnerships with law enforcement agencies both within Mississippi and across the country is a priority for the Mississippi Attorney General’s Office, and we are proud to be a part of building this network of dedicated law enforcement agencies working to end human trafficking.”

During this operation, conducted September 10, 2026, Mississippi Attorney General’s Office investigators and prosecutors worked with state and local law enforcement partners, including Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC), DeSoto County Sheriff’s Office, and Southaven Police Department. In addition to law enforcement partners, Transformation Garden, the Mississippi Coalition Against Human Trafficking, and Tabernacle Southaven provided services and treatment to the victims that were recovered during this operation. 

This was the 67th human trafficking operation led by the Attorney General’s Human Trafficking Task Force. Together, these operations have led to 205 arrests and the recovery of 402 victims, including 24 minors.

Operation Coast to Coast was started in 2024 as an initiative of the Human Trafficking Training Center (HTTC) in an effort to spur a nationwide response to human trafficking. Nationally, the operation on September 10 resulted in the recovery of 79 victims, including 5 juvenile victims, and resulted in 125 arrests across 22 states. 

Law enforcement agencies interested in learning more about or participating in the AGO Human Trafficking Task Force, Fentanyl Strike Force, Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force, or Cyber Fraud Task Force, should contact the Attorney General’s Office Director of Strategic Law Enforcement Partnerships, Paul Holley, at paul.holley@ago.ms.gov.