Beyond License Plate Program

Trooper Paulsen noticed that the rear license plate was tinted and the side windows were also tinted on a white Chevrolet cargo van and initiated a traffic stop on September 13, 2014. Two males and one young female were sitting on the front seat, none of which were licensed to operate motor vehicles. There was a dark blanket spread in the back of the van and a foot was sticking out. The blanket appeared to be covering several people so Trooper Paulsen called for backup.

Further investigation revealed twelve additional subjects in the back, including a young boy. None of the occupants spoke English so an interpreter was contacted by phone and it was determined that the boy was six years old. Additional discussion led to the real name of the young boy, who was told to change his name upon entering the van.

FBI Human Trafficking Task Force became involved and it was determined that two of the occupants were seventeen years old and one was six years old. The juveniles were all taken to children’s housing for care. The adults were all transported to a county jail.

The six year old boy was not related to anyone in the vehicle and thought he was being taken to his mother in Las Vegas. Later, a call was received from a male subject in New Jersey claiming he was a neighbors of the child’s grandmother and was trying to gain access to the boy. There was a strong feeling from all officers that the boy was destined for a life in the child labor or sex industry. It is unclear what this pair actually had in store for the boy, but it clearly was not what had been promised to him.

Federal charges were filed by the FBI against the two initial male subjects for human trafficking violations. Both pled guilty within weeks due to the solid case. There were so many officers from so many departments involved, each performing outstanding work. But it all started with Trooper Blair Paulsen making a traffic stop for an obstructed license plate violation and taking the time to look well beyond the original stop.