On October 22, 2025, the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office Human Exploitation and Recovery Operations (H.E.R.O.) Team conducted a targeted operation aimed at combating human trafficking and exploitation in our region.
As a result of this operation, five suspects were arrested and charged with engaging in prostitution or solicitation.
“Our focus is on protecting survivors, dismantling the networks that profit from exploitation, and most importantly, ending the demand that drives the sex trade. Exploitation thrives in silence, which is why we are committed to raising awareness, supporting survivors with dignity, and pursuing harsh penalties for those who fuel or profit from human suffering.” – Sheriff Darin Balaam
If you or someone you know is a victim of human trafficking, please reach out for help. Contact the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office H.E.R.O. Team via email at HERO-Tips@washoecounty.gov.
Together, we can work to end exploitation and bring hope to those in need.
For more information about the H.E.R.O. Unit and its initiatives, please visit Human Exploitation and Recovery Operations (HERO) Team.
