Twelve men were arrested in Eden Prairie after attempting to pay for sex with a 17-year-old girl who turned out to be an undercover police officer, exposing the dark underbelly of human trafficking in suburban Minnesota.
Key Takeaways
- A sting operation by Eden Prairie police resulted in the arrest of 12 men who attempted to solicit sex from someone they believed was a minor
- The suspects, ranging from 24 to 46 years old, knowingly pursued what they thought was a 17-year-old girl after being informed of her age
- Nine of the arrested individuals have been charged with prostitution of a minor, carrying potential sentences of up to 10 years
- Eden Prairie police have conducted 38 similar operations since 2016, resulting in 401 arrests and helping 117 trafficking victims
- This operation was part of a collaborative effort by the 494 Corridor Group, a multi-agency task force targeting human trafficking
Predators Caught in Sophisticated Sting Operation
On June 23, Eden Prairie police conducted a targeted operation to catch predators seeking to exploit minors for commercial sex. The sting involved posting a “decoy” advertisement online, with an undercover officer posing as a 17-year-old girl. Each of the twelve men arrested was explicitly informed of the supposed minor’s age yet continued arranging meetings for illegal sexual services in exchange for money. The operation highlights the ongoing problem of human trafficking and exploitation in Minnesota communities, where demand for commercial sex with minors remains disturbingly prevalent despite law enforcement efforts.
The twelve men arrested came from various locations throughout the Twin Cities metro area and Wisconsin, demonstrating the regional nature of this criminal activity. During the arrests, police recovered evidence including cash, cell phones, firearms, and in some cases, illegal drugs. As of Thursday, ten of the twelve arrests had resulted in felony charges, with the remaining two cases still under review by prosecutors. Under Minnesota law, soliciting prostitution from a person believed to be between 16 and 17 years old carries serious consequences – up to 10 years imprisonment and a $20,000 fine.
A dozen men were arrested for soliciting a minor in a human trafficking sting in Eden Prairie on Monday. https://t.co/dY0Zzixrj6
— FOX 9 (@FOX9) June 28, 2025
Multi-Agency Approach to Combating Trafficking
The successful operation was conducted by Eden Prairie police with crucial support from the 494 Corridor Group, a specialized multi-agency task force focusing on trafficking and exploitation along the Interstate 494 corridor. This collaborative effort included participation from police departments in Bloomington, Edina, Maple Grove, Minnetonka, Plymouth, and Richfield, as well as the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office. Such coordination demonstrates the recognition among law enforcement agencies that human trafficking requires a united front, as traffickers and those seeking illegal services often cross jurisdictional boundaries.
The arrests highlight a crucial aspect of anti-trafficking strategy – reducing demand for commercial sex services. By targeting the “buyers” who create the market for human trafficking, law enforcement aims to disrupt the economic incentives that drive this exploitation. These operations not only remove dangerous predators from the community but also help identify potential trafficking victims who may be coerced into the commercial sex trade. Police emphasized that no actual juveniles were involved in the operation, ensuring that the sting was conducted safely and ethically.
A Consistent Pattern of Enforcement Success
Eden Prairie police have established themselves as leaders in combating human trafficking, with this operation representing just one of many successful efforts. Since 2016, the department has conducted 38 similar sting operations, resulting in an impressive 401 arrests. More importantly, these operations have helped identify and support 117 victims of trafficking, connecting them with resources needed to escape exploitation and rebuild their lives. This sustained effort demonstrates the department’s commitment to addressing both the supply and demand sides of human trafficking.
The consistent pattern of arrests in these operations reveals a disturbing reality – there remains a significant number of individuals willing to exploit minors for sexual purposes despite increased awareness and enforcement. Each operation exposes new offenders, suggesting the problem is more widespread than many community members might realize. For concerned parents and residents, these arrests serve as a sobering reminder of the importance of monitoring online activities and teaching young people about potential dangers, particularly on platforms where traffickers and predators operate.
