Executive Summary
- Bloomington Police arrested 30 men in a multi-day human trafficking sting.
- One suspect is identified as a federal employee involved in hiring ICE agents.
- Undercover officers posed as minors to identify predatory behavior.
- The operation follows a similar enforcement effort in November 2025 that yielded 16 arrests.
BLOOMINGTON, Minn. — Thirty individuals were taken into custody following a targeted human trafficking sting operation conducted by the Bloomington Police Department, authorities announced Tuesday. Among those arrested was a federal employee whose duties reportedly involve the hiring process for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents.
According to Bloomington Police Chief Booker Hodges, the operation commenced on February 4 and resulted in the arrest of 30 adult men. Police officials stated that the suspects attempted to solicit sex from undercover officers who were posing as minors.
While specific identities were not immediately released to the public, Chief Hodges highlighted the arrest of the federal employee as a significant element of the investigation. The suspect is alleged to work in a capacity involving the recruitment of federal agents. The department did not immediately disclose further details regarding the individual’s specific title or tenure.
This enforcement action marks a continuation of the department’s strategy to combat human trafficking in the region. In November 2025, a similar operation led to the arrest of 16 individuals. Investigators utilized comparable tactics in the recent sting, deploying undercover personnel to identify and apprehend those seeking illicit sexual encounters with minors.
Investigative Outlook
The involvement of a federal employee in a local vice operation raises significant questions regarding personnel vetting and off-duty conduct within federal agencies, which may necessitate internal administrative reviews alongside criminal proceedings. Law enforcement officials emphasize that these recurring sting operations are critical for disrupting the demand side of human trafficking networks and deterring predatory behavior within the community. It is important to note that all individuals arrested in connection with this operation are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
