FLAGSTAFF, Arizona — Flagstaff Police announced the arrest of 28 individuals on March 31, 2025, following a six-month operation by the North Star Task Force targeting child sex trafficking and exploitation. The task force, a coalition of local, county, state, and federal agencies, made nine felony arrests for serious crimes including child sex trafficking, luring a minor for sexual exploitation, and aggravated luring of a minor, alongside 19 misdemeanor prostitution charges.
Among those charged with felonies are Thomas Jay Smith, Brent William Smith, Marcus Wimberley, Max Berkman, Christopher Hoffman, and Abel Ramos, all accused of child sex trafficking. Michael E. Flores, David Zorn, and Rakesh Dullbson face charges of luring a minor for sexual exploitation. The operation involved agencies like the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office, Arizona Department of Public Safety, and Homeland Security Investigations, with support from nonprofits such as FIAT and E3 Ranch Foundation. Nearly all suspects were local community members, highlighting the hidden prevalence of child exploitation in Flagstaff.
The North Star Task Force, launched in January 2025, aims to combat human trafficking with survivor-informed practices. Lead Detective Bethany Hyde emphasized the task force’s relentless pursuit of justice, noting that the arrests reveal broader patterns of exploitation that demand urgent action. Flagstaff, a city of about 75,000, has seen increased efforts to address trafficking—Northland Family Health Center reported assisting nearly 250 victims in 2024. The public is urged to report suspected trafficking to Flagstaff Police at 928-774-1414 or the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888.
