Colorado Police Unit Recovers 29 Survivors in First Year of Human Trafficking Investigations

The Aurora Police Department's Human Trafficking Unit has recovered 29 survivors, including 15 minors, and arrested 28 suspects in its first year of operation. The unit, established in September 2025, focuses on sex trafficking and child exploitation, with Sergeant Joseph Sullivan noting that traffickers prey on the hunger, desperation, and need for affection of vulnerable children.

Sullivan described the unit's work as exposing abuse that may occur unnoticed within the community. "It is happening in our backyard, not just in those other places," he stated.

The unit handled 53 investigations during its initial year. One case involved a 16-year-old girl who was brought to Aurora by her boyfriend and subsequently exploited for shelter, drugs, or food. She later died of an overdose a few months after interacting with investigators. "It really is satisfying being able to contact these survivors and then identify who’s exploiting them and holding them accountable," Sullivan said.

According to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, human trafficking is defined as the use of force, fraud, or coercion to obtain labor or commercial sex acts. Federal law enforcement reported 36 truck-stop-based instances of human trafficking in 2023, according to the National Human Trafficking Hotline.

The Aurora unit consists of three detectives and a supervising sergeant. Their focus on individuals 21 and younger allows the small team to concentrate its efforts. Sullivan emphasized that dedicated units can provide the necessary time and focus for these complex investigations, which require extensive evidence gathering and building trust with victims.

Commander Marc Paolino of the APD Investigations Bureau stated that the unit's creation aimed to center survivors in investigations while targeting exploiters. "The work they’ve done has made our community safer and sent a clear message that the Aurora Police Department will aggressively pursue anyone who exploits others for this type of heinous, criminal activity," Paolino said.

Among those arrested was Marshae Wheelock, 24, of Aurora, who police allege was involved in the exploitation of children over several years. Deputy Chief Mark Hildebrand noted that Wheelock