The girls, ranging in age from 13 to 17, were recovered between April 15 and early May along the 82nd Avenue corridor, a stretch long plagued by prostitution and trafficking, according to the Portland Police Bureau (PPB). Officers from the bureau's Human Trafficking Unit, along with those from the East Precinct, carried out the series of missions that led to the rescues.
"This is a stunning number, significantly higher than the norm," the bureau stated in its release.
After each recovery, the juveniles were brought to East Precinct, where they were connected with advocacy services through PPB Victim Services and Safety Compass, a nonprofit that provides support to survivors of commercial sexual exploitation and human trafficking under the age of 25. Officers also coordinated with the Oregon Department of Human Services to reunite the teenagers with out-of-state parents or place them into state care, depending on each girl's circumstances.
Investigators are now working to build criminal cases against the suspected traffickers and sex buyers identified through the operations.
The six recoveries in such a short window raised questions about whether the area is seeing an emerging pattern. Police acknowledged they don't yet have an answer.
"It's not clear whether this is a new trend or simply an anomaly," the bureau noted in its release.
Among those contacted during that operation were Kyree Jackson, 25, of Sacramento, California, and Julius Mitchell, 25, of Seattle, both of whom were arrested or cited on various charges. Ten victims were contacted and offered assistance during that mission, the bureau said.
Officers working trafficking cases say the work is often painstaking. Victims frequently resist cooperating with law enforcement because of deep psychological ties to their traffickers, fear of retaliation, and the cumulative weight of repeated trauma. The bureau said it continues to prioritize trauma-informed, victim-centered approaches when working with survivors.
"Human trafficking is a pervasive and deeply harmful crime that targets vulnerable individuals, often children, and subjects them to ongoing abuse and exploitation," the bureau said. "It is fueled by demand and perpetuated by those who seek to profit from human suffering."
Anyone with information about suspected trafficking is urged to call 911, PPB's non-emergency line at 503-823-3333, or the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888. Tips can also be emailed to [email protected].