Nearly two dozen arrested in Brooklyn Center human trafficking investigation
Go Deeper.
Create an account or log in to save stories.
Like this?
Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.
The chief of the Brooklyn Center Police Department says nearly two dozen people have been arrested in a human trafficking investigation that targeted four area hotels Wednesday morning.
Chief Garett Flesland said the people were arrested on suspicion of a variety of offenses, including prostitution, sex trafficking, drug and gun possession.
“It's important to note that these are preliminary grounds for arrest. They should not be interpreted as a final list of filed charges or allegations that apply to every person arrested today,” he said.
Flesland added that officers also recovered seven guns and around $9,000 in cash.
Turn Up Your Support
MPR News helps you turn down the noise and build shared understanding. Turn up your support for this public resource and keep trusted journalism accessible to all.
Two of the hotels, a Super 8 and a Travelodge on James Circle in Brooklyn Center, were the source of more than 2,000 police calls between January 2025 and late August of this year, said Flesland.
“During that period, the Super 8 generated approximately 1,300 calls for service. The Travelodge, approximately 975,” he said. “They were the two highest individual locations for calls for service within Brooklyn Center.”
The Baymont and Suburban Studios hotels were also targeted in the operation.
Flesland said the initial work of detectives who investigated connections among the calls resulted in the arrests.
The investigation has resulted in a public health response as well.
“Advocates and victim support resources are part of today's coordinated response, because interrupting exploitation requires assistance and support alongside enforcement,” said Flesland.
Flesland said the investigation is still in its initial stage, and he declined to reveal the estimated number of possible trafficking victims.
Hennepin County Sheriff Dawanna Witt said her office began investigating possible sex trafficking at one of the hotels in the spring of 2025 — at the same time the Brooklyn Center Police Department was looking into reported violent crimes at the hotels.
“Our teams weren't just focused on enforcement,” said Witt. “They were also working to understand the needs of the victims, so that when this operation happened, we would be ready to provide meaningful support. That meant bringing together law enforcement, social services, housing resources, and other partners to help victims access the services that they will need, and supports that will extend beyond today.”
Flesland said the investigation involved local, state and federal law enforcement officers, including the U.S. Secret Service, the FBI and the DEA.
“I've been a cop for 26 years,” he said. “I've never been a part of an investigation this complex, this large.”
Flesland said investigators are submitting cases to a “variety of prosecuting attorneys,” which means charging decisions may be announced in a matter of days.
