The BPD said it found the two girls at a Bellevue residence and they returned to their parents.
FILE - A look at a Bellevue Police Department patrol vehicle. Bellevue police arrested a 25-year-old Federal Way man this week accused of sex trafficking two underage girls from Oregon — one of whom was 11, the other 15 — after meeting them online.
The suspect, who is being held in King County jail on $500,000 bail, faces two counts of second-degree trafficking, two counts of promoting commercial sexual abuse of a minor and one count of third-degree rape of a child. He appeared before a judge on Wednesday. On Jan. 9, an eastern Oregon police department alerted the Bellevue Police Department about two missing minors who were suspected human trafficking victims,. The BPD said it found the two girls at a Bellevue residence and they returned to their parents. Police said the victims "fell prey to the trafficking scheme after connecting with" the suspect on Instagram and Snapchat. The man transported the minors more than 300 miles from eastern Oregon to Washington, "where they were subjected to exploitation, including substance abuse, sexual exploitation and sexual assault," according to the BPD. The suspect allegedly forced the girls to attempt to engage in prostitution along Aurora Avenue in north Seattle, according to the BPD, "and later abandoned the victims on the side of the road when he was dissatisfied with their performance."Educate your children: Teach children about online safety and the dangers of interacting with strangers on social media platforms.Regularly monitor your children’s online interactions, including social media accounts and messaging apps, and be vigilant for any suspicious behavior or contacts.Foster open communication with your children, encouraging them to share any concerns or uncomfortable experiences they encounter online.Establish clear guidelines for online interactions and educate children about the importance of safeguarding their personal information.Stay informed about the latest tactics used by human traffickers to lure victims online and educate children about the warning signs of grooming and exploitation. More information can be found on the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force website. If you or someone you know is a victim or have knowledge of trafficking anywhere in the Puget Sound Region, please contact the Bellevue Police Human Trafficking Unit at VICEHT@Bellevuewa.gov. Tips will be kept confidential if desired.
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