Alanna Martella
Though we want to believe otherwise, we are directly affected by sex trafficking.
Just this week, a man from Rochester was indicted by federal grand jury for activities related to sex trafficking.
Lee A. Paul of Rochester is now indicted on charges related to sex trafficking... he hid in Georgia after being accused of picking up a 16-year-old girl and a 12-year-old girl in Rochester, driving the girls to Anoka County, and allegedly sexually assaulted the 16-year-old.
Senator Amy Klobuchar is using this case, among others, as examples in her push against sex trafficking.
It's already recognized as a huge threat both here in the Upper Midwest... and around the world.
"This is now the third-biggest criminal enterprise in the world after illegal drugs and illegal guns that are transported over country lines is victims of sex trafficking," said Senator Klobuchar.
Senator Klobuchar has been working to passing a bill that would set a new standard for how authorities should handle this vicious crime.
"That's why this bill, which really takes Minnesota's Safe Harbor motto which says, 'Look, we're not gonna prosecute 12-year-olds, we're gonna go after the people who are running these rings,' and the best way we can do that, is by helping these victims and making sure they get the services they need. But also testify against the perpetrators," said Senator Klobuchar
The senator plans on using the case as an example in her campaign on Capitol Hill.
"All 20 women Senators, about two weeks ago, requested a hearing on the Judiciary Committee that six Republican women and 14 Democratic women, together we signed a letter ,and we are getting that hearing on Tuesday and I plan on using this case as one of the examples of why we need to pass the bill," she said.