More than three dozen people are facing possible felony charges following their arrests for attempting to solicit children for sex or for trafficking victims, the Minnesota Department of Public Safety Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) announced Wednesday.



Investigators conducted a sting operation in the days leading up to the Super Bowl. During the sting, suspects chatted with undercover agents and investigators on several social media platforms, police said. Investigators arrested the suspects as they arrived at an arranged meeting place for an encounter. All were booked into the Ramsey, Scott or Washington County jails and are awaiting charges. Most are from the greater Twin Cities area.

36 people were booked on probable cause felony solicitation of a minor.

7 people were booked on probable cause sex trafficking, promotion of prostitution.

14 women were rescued from trafficking situations. Related: Man In Town For Super Bowl Charged With Child Prostitution "Now that the Super Bowl is past, these arrests should serve as a stark reminder that what drives the exploitation and trafficking of vulnerable people is the demand. Notably, as shown by these arrests, the demand is a local problem and involves men from our own community who want to exploit very young girls and boys," said Ramsey County Attorney John Choi in a statement.

Additional agencies lent resources and expertise to this particular effort, including the Carver, Crow Wing, Dakota, Pope and Ramsey County sheriff's offices; the Belle Plaine, Chaska, New Prague, North St. Paul, Savage and Shakopee police departments; and the Scott and Washington county attorney's offices. If you or someone you know is in immediate danger of being trafficked, call 911. To report a suspected trafficking situation, call the BCA at (877) 996-6222.