Executive Summary
- The Reno HEAT Unit made 143 arrests related to sex trafficking and exploitation in 2025.
- Authorities recovered 55 victims, including 18 juvenile females.
- Investigations led to 60 convictions and nearly 700 years of combined prison time.
- Six defendants received maximum sentences of life in prison.
RENO, Nev. — The Human Exploitation and Trafficking (HEAT) Unit in Reno executed 143 arrests and secured nearly 700 years of combined prison sentences during operations conducted throughout 2025, according to data released by the agency.
Between January 1, 2025, and January 1, 2026, authorities filed 287 criminal charges related to the sweep, the majority of which were classified as felonies. The arrests targeted individuals accused of sex trafficking, child exploitation, possession of child sex abuse material, and profiting from human exploitation.
The unit reported 60 convictions over the past year, resulting in penalties that included six sentences with a maximum term of life in prison. While these cases have concluded, officials noted that other charges filed during this period remain active within the legal process.
Operational efforts also led to the recovery of 55 victims from the illegal sex industry. Law enforcement records indicate that the recovered individuals included 37 adult women and 18 juvenile females.
Operational Impact and Judicial Procedures
The significant volume of felony charges and the recovery of nearly two dozen minors highlight the persistent challenge of exploitation networks within the region. The substantial sentencing outcomes reflect a rigorous prosecutorial strategy aimed at dismantling trafficking infrastructure, though the ongoing cases suggest continued judicial activity in the coming months. It is important to note that all individuals charged who have not yet been convicted are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
