U.S. Marshals rescue child from alleged trafficking operation at Olympia homeless encampment

Authorities have rescued a child reported missing from Mesa, Arizona, who may have been a victim of sex trafficking here locally.

After getting a tip, the U.S. Marshals Service, with help from the Washington Corrections Department, searched a Thurston County homeless encampment known as “The Jungle” and found the girl Thursday.

The camp is near Martin Way E., on the east side of Olympia.

Neighbors of the encampment say they’ll continue to call authorities when they see signs of illegal activity.

Family members reported to the Mesa, Arizona, Police Department that the girl was missing during May.

The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children eventually shared information with the U.S. Marshals Service that the child might be the victim of sex trafficking in Washington state.

Authorities assigned the case to a deputy U.S. marshal in western Washington.

Soon after, the deputy developed a lead about the missing juvenile’s whereabouts.

It led the deputy to a 20-acre homeless encampment widely known as “The Jungle,” in the 3200 block of Martin Way East, near the boundary between Olympia and Lacey.

The encampment has been known for several violent incidents and concerns about community safety.

On Thursday, U.S. marshals, accompanied by staff members of the Washington State Department of Corrections, canvassed the area.

They were able to locate the girl safely.

Deputies turned her over to the Washington State Department of Children, Youth and Families and the Olympia Police Department for medical evaluation and victim assistance.

“Protecting our nation’s children is of the highest importance,” said Donrien Stephens, Acting U.S. Marshal for the Western District of Washington, in a written statement. “The excellent investigative efforts, collaboration, and persistence of our local, state, and community partners led to the safe recovery of a youth with an elevated risk of human trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation.”

A law passed in 2015, called “The Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act,” gave the U.S. Marshals Office greater authority to assist local police in the recovery of endangered missing children, regardless of whether a fugitive or sex offender was involved.

When the law was enacted, the Marshals established a “Missing Child Unit” to manage cases of missing children, especially those who could be considered victims of trafficking.

Since Congress passed the law,  the U.S. Marshals Service has assisted in finding or recovering 5,281 missing children.

If you have any information about wanted fugitives or suspected victims of trafficking, officials ask you to contact the nearest U.S. Marshals office, or the U.S. Marshals Service Communications Center at 1-800-336-0102 or the USMS Tips App.