The online advertising sites were two of the most prominent websites where people could search advertisements for sex services or companionship. David Mack. The websites also offer legitimate services and items for sale.
The sites were used in investigations by law enforcement to contact users during stings to combat human trafficking and internet crimes against children. President Donald Trump signed the bill into law April The act is meant to give authorities the ability to hold those who run websites accountable if they knowingly allow sex trafficking or prostitution to occur.
We can't take such risk without jeopardizing all our other services, so we are regretfully taking craigslist personals offline. Last week, its CEO, Carl Ferrer, pleaded guilty to conspiracy, money laundering and facilitating prostitution. The sites were frequently used by law enforcement to contact users during stings to combat prostitution, human trafficking and crimes against children. Human trafficking can take many forms, including people being sold for sex or forced labor, Mack said.
His office most often deals with cases where people are being forced into prostitution. During investigations, officers often pose as a prostitute or parent offering their child for sex online, he said.
This year the Winnebago County Sheriff's Office has conducted two online investigations that led to a total of 12 arrests, Mack said. He is certain those who used Backpage and Craigslist for human trafficking quickly moved on to other social media sites. As far as investigations of internet crimes against children, investigations often begin with tips rather than online sting operations, Valley said.
