Understanding Human Trafficking

Hi everyone. Before anything else, I want to introduce myself for those who don’t know me.

I was born in the ashes of two civil wars, and I learned early what exploitation looks like when people have no power and no voice. I carried that understanding into combat in Iraq, and later into years spent on America’s front lines — working SWAT, serving with a federal task force, doing undercover interdiction work, and now leading as a patrol sergeant.

Across all of those worlds, one thing remained constant: human trafficking doesn’t look like the movies.

It doesn’t always look violent.

It doesn’t always look obvious.

And it rarely looks like what people expect.

Most victims aren’t kidnapped.

Most traffickers don’t fit a stereotype.

And most of the warning signs are missed because the community simply doesn’t know what to look for.

That’s why I’m here.

I founded Project Sapient to bring together real-world experience, neuroscience, stress physiology, and human behavior — because when you understand how people are controlled, manipulated, or broken down, you start seeing the patterns that others overlook.

My goal today is simple:

Is to have you be aware of the different kinds of human trafficking.

You don’t have to be law enforcement to make a difference. Awareness is a force multiplier. An informed community is one of the strongest defenses there is.

So thank you for being here.

Most people picture human trafficking as kidnappings, vans, and dramatic movie scenes. But in reality, trafficking is far more subtle — and far more common — than people realize.

It doesn’t always look violent.

It doesn’t always look obvious.

And it often hides in plain sight.

Here are the major types of human trafficking civilians should understand:

1. Sex Trafficking

This is the most recognized — and most misunderstood — form.

Victims are often trapped through:

emotional manipulation
threats
fear for their family
addiction
false promises
financial control

Most victims are not kidnapped.

They’re controlled through fear, dependency, and psychological manipulation, not chains.

2. Labor Trafficking

One of the most hidden forms of exploitation.

Victims may be forced to work in:

restaurants
agriculture
factories
construction
domestic cleaning
hospitality

People can appear to “have a job” yet still be trafficked through:

withheld pay
threats of deportation
debt they can never escape
unsafe living conditions

3. Domestic Servitude

This often happens inside private homes where the victim is isolated and dependent.

Signs can include:

not being allowed to leave the home
no control over their schedule
no access to their own documents
living where they work
fear of speaking to others

Isolation is the trafficker’s strongest weapon.

4. Child Trafficking

Traffickers don’t just target children — they target childhood vulnerabilities:

unstable homes
running away
loneliness
online grooming
promises of love or opportunity

Children can be forced into labor, sexual exploitation, or online exploitation.

A significant portion of this begins online, long before the child ever meets the trafficker.

5. Forced Criminal Activity

Victims — especially youth — may be coerced into committing crimes such as theft, drug movement, or fraud. Many are manipulated into believing they have no other choice, or that they’ll be harmed if they refuse.

6. Online / Digital Exploitation

Trafficking has evolved with technology.

Victims may be targeted, groomed, or exploited through: