Executive Summary
- The Georgia Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit reports recovering over 200 children statewide since its inception.
- The unit’s Macon branch, established eight months ago, has secured indictments in Peach and Bibb counties.
- Collaboration with the Byron Police Department facilitated a sting operation resulting in 12 arrests in October.
- The unit is focusing on decentralizing resources to support rural communities and local law enforcement agencies.
Georgia’s Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit is reporting significant operational progress eight months after establishing a branch in Macon, citing the recovery of over 200 children statewide and multiple indictments in Central Georgia. The unit, created by the State Attorney General in 2019, has focused on enhancing coordination with local law enforcement to dismantle trafficking networks in both urban and rural communities.
Alicia Gassett, the prosecutor leading the unit, stated that the expansion into Macon and Augusta allows state authorities to address criminal activity beyond the Atlanta metropolitan area. According to Gassett, trafficking is a statewide issue, and the regional offices are designed to ensure resources reach rural communities such as Albany and Valdosta alongside larger cities like Columbus and Macon.
Since expanding its footprint, the unit has reported the recovery of more than 200 children through combined efforts across its Atlanta, Augusta, and Macon branches. Specific to the Central Georgia region, Gassett confirmed that the unit has secured indictments against two individuals in Peach County and one individual in Bibb County, with active investigations ongoing in Albany.
The unit emphasizes a proactive strategy involving training and operational support for local agencies. Captain Bryan Hunter of the Byron Police Department noted that collaboration with the state unit was instrumental in a child sex sting operation conducted in October. Following training provided by Gassett’s team, the Byron Police Department made 12 arrests. Captain Hunter highlighted that the state unit provided guidelines and coordination with the District Attorney’s office to ensure procedural integrity for future prosecution.
Regional Enforcement Strategy
The expansion of the Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit into regional hubs reflects a strategic shift by the Attorney General’s office to decentralize resources and address criminal networks operating outside major metropolitan centers. By embedding prosecutors and investigators within local jurisdictions, state authorities aim to bridge the gap between rural law enforcement agencies and specialized state resources. This collaborative model is designed to increase conviction rates through rigorous evidence collection and adherence to prosecutorial standards. It is important to note that all individuals indicted or arrested in connection with these operations are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
