Somali gang allegedly involved in human trafficking in MN and TN

Update November 8th:  29 indicted in sex trafficking, here.

Here is another post about Somalis for Allahsoldier to complain about.  Hat tip:  a reader. 

From the Twincities Pioneer Press:

Police are investigating a large Somali gang human trafficking ring that is based in Minnesota and has a Tennessee connection, according to a search warrant affidavit.

A Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension agent applied for the warrant and a St. Paul police officer is the lead detective. Both departments referred inquiries today to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Tennessee, which is based in Nashville. Assistant U.S. Attorney Van Vincent said he couldn’t “confirm or deny the investigation at this time.”

The warrant was filed in Ramsey County District Court Friday and KSTP-TV obtained a copy of it Monday. The warrant has since been sealed and is no longer available.

KSTP was first to air a story Tuesday night about the investigation and provided a copy of the warrant to the Pioneer Press today.

BCA Special Agent Ann Quinn, who is a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement taskforce member, wrote the affidavit in support of the warrant. Her “primary area of responsibility is in the investigation of human trafficking cases, both domestic and international trafficking of persons,” she wrote.

St. Paul Police Sgt. John Bandemer contacted Quinn in July and asked for assistance “in locating a juvenile material witness who was needed in federal court in Nashville … in connection to the human trafficking investigation,” Quinn wrote.

Quinn was given a copy of a material witness warrant for a 15-year-old girl. Bandemer reported that the girl “had a long history of being a runaway and was being victimized by a group of Somalian males who were promoting her into prostitution,” the affidavit said.

We’ve written extensively about Somalis in both Minnesota and Tennessee, use our search function to learn more.