(Council Bluffs) Three Omaha men were arrested Wednesday in Council Bluffs as part of a multi-state human trafficking enforcement operation.
The Council Bluffs Police Department partnered with the Iowa Human Trafficking Task Force in Operation Coast to Coast, a coordinated effort involving hundreds of law enforcement agencies and partner organizations across dozens of states.
The operation focused on identifying individuals seeking to purchase commercial sex, as well as people who exploit or target vulnerable individuals, including children.
Arrested were 47-year-old Leon D. Hartsock Jr. of Omaha, 41-year-old Efrain Gandara of Omaha, and 35-year-old Daniel T. Veach of Omaha.
All three are charged with prostitution, purchase of services, an aggravated misdemeanor.
Veach also faces a serious misdemeanor charge of possession of methamphetamine, a controlled substance.
The Council Bluffs Police Department says it is committed to combating commercial sexual exploitation and human trafficking by reducing the demand that contributes to these crimes and protecting vulnerable members of the community.
Police remind the public that criminal charges are not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court.
