Child sex crime and trafficking charges filed
Nikole Babb nbabb@cherryroad.com
The Butler County Sheriff’s Office says they’ve arrested seven men after operating a successful sting operation that involved nine other agencies.
After taking months to develop and coordinate a sting operation, several law enforcement agencies were able to successfully identify and arrest one man as an active sex trafficker in the Wichia area. In addition, six other men were identified and arrested as those agreeing to purchase sexual relations from an underage child in Butler County.
A ‘sting’ operation is an operation law enforcement agencies execute through deceptive means that are designed to catch a person attempting to commit a crime. In this case, the various agencies set up advertisements for the purchase of sexual relations with a minor child. Once the ‘buyers’ knowingly agreed to purchase the services, law enforcement officers moved in to arrest them.
The man identified as a Wichita area active sex trafficker is Alexander Jamal Lane. He awaits charges of promoting the sale of sexual relations. The other six men arrested, and their charges include:
Kimron Charvell Burris, 31, has been charged with aggravated human trafficking, electronic solicitation of a child, commercial sexual exploitation of a child, and driving while suspended.
Shane Anthony Pitman, 39, has been charged with aggravated human trafficking, sexual exploitation of a child, commercial sexual exploitation of a child, indecent solicitation of a child, and promote obscenity, distribute obscene material.
Jose Campos-Urrutia, 36, has been charged with aggravated human trafficking, electronic solicitation of a child, commercial sexual exploitation of a child, and indecent solicitation of a child.
Andrew Jordan Bikar, 22, has been charged with aggravated human trafficking, electronic solicitation of a child, commercial sexual exploitation of a child, indecent solicitation of a child, and promote obscenity, distribute obscene material.
Anthony Joseph Blakely, 35, has been arrested and is awaiting charges of aggravated human trafficking, electronic solicitation of a child, commercial sexual exploitation of a child, sexual exploitation of a child, and indecent solicitation of a child.
Joseph Frank Patrick III, 31, has been arrested and is awaiting charges of aggravated human trafficking, electronic solicitation of a child, commercial sexual exploitation of a child, aggravated indecent liberties with a child, and indecent Solicitation of a child.
All those arrested are known to be Wichita area locals.
“This operation was carefully designed to create a perception of risk to anyone willing to come to Butler County to exploit trafficking victims, vulnerable children, or engage in commercial sex,” the Butler County Sheriff’s Office noted in the press release. “It was also designed to create hope and path to freedom for those who being exploited by these suspects.”
During the operation execution, the agencies worked closely with ICTSOS, a Wichita area nonprofit that provides victims and survivors of human trafficking resources and advocacy. Ten victims were identified and connected with ICTSOS personnel to continue to develop their path to freedom.
Other agencies involved included the Andover Polcie Department, El Dorado Police Department, Butler County Attorney’s Office, Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office, Greenwood County Sheriff’s Office, Clinton County Sheriff’s Office (Missouri), Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office, and the Ray County Counter-Human Trafficking Task Force from Missouri and Homeland Security Investigations.
“This operation represents the ongoing commitment of all the agencies and organizations to combat human trafficking,” the agency said in the press release.
This operation demonstrates the continual need and support for combatting the crime of human trafficking not only in Butler County but across the Wichita metro and beyond.
