JACKSON, MISS– An arrest was made for charges related to human trafficking Wednesday in Madison County.
Local media reported Devondra Denzel McFall, 25, was arrested by the Madison County Sheriff’s Department and charged with kidnapping, human trafficking and conspiracy.
Sandy Middleton, Executive Director of the Mississippi Center for Violence Prevention said that many do not know or do not realize just how prevalent human trafficking is in this state.
“It confirms for us that human trafficking is here,” said Middleton. “And it is something that we all need to pay attention to.”
Middleton added that if it can happen in Madison County, it can happen anywhere.
“Our metropolitan areas connect to other larger metros through our interstate system,” said Middleton. “That is a big danger for this area. Any of us could fall victim to this crime.”
With information still developing, Middleton hoped that for the victim’s sake, everything is being done to begin the restoration process.
“My hope is that the victim will have the shelter and necessary therapies needed to recover from this horrifying episode,” Middleton said.
Madison County Sheriff Randy Tucker has spoken with News Mississippi before about human trafficking in the state, and how it is a growing problem.
“Sex trafficking is a lot like drug trafficking,” Sheriff Tucker said. “They follow the path of least resistance.”
Victims of sex trafficking often need a different type of assistance that local law enforcement isn’t equipped or trained to handle.
“With as fast as this problem is growing, no, we don’t have enough training or resources to deal with it,” Sheriff Tucker said. “We can never have too much information, we can never have too many resources.”
The details of the arrest in Madison County are continuing to develop. News Mississippi will keep you updated.
