Big Sky Times

The Bozeman Police Department's efforts in a planned three-day operation led to the apprehension of 18 individuals involved in human trafficking and child exploitation. The arrests mark a milestone in the Bozeman area's fight against these heinous crimes.

"We want to use this opportunity to educate the public and reach out to those in need of assistance," Bozeman Police Detective Captain Dana McNeil stated in a Facebook post. "If someone is controlling or managing you, abusing you, withholding basic necessities from you in order to control you and your finances, providing you with illegal drugs, or if you feel scared, unsafe, and unable to leave the situation, seek help."

According to the post, they executed the operation from July 20 to July 22, resulting in a major crackdown on human trafficking and child exploitation in the Bozeman area. As a result, several individuals have been apprehended and charged in connection with 18 counts of patronizing a prostitute, five counts of criminal distribution of dangerous drugs, one count of resisting arrest and one count of patronizing a victim of sex trafficking for a child victim.

Also disclosed was that, during the investigation, Bozeman Police Department's detectives seized a significant amount of cocaine, fentanyl and other crucial physical evidence, strengthening the cases against the accused.

The post claims the operation received support from various law enforcement agencies, including the Bozeman Police Department's partner, the Montana State University Special Victims Unit. Additionally, the Montana Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation, Gallatin County Sheriff's Office, and the Montana Analysis and Technical Information Center played crucial roles in bringing down the trafficking and exploitation ring.

According to affidavits obtained by NonStop Local News from Gallatin County, the eighteen people arrested are as follows: Jessie Lee Donnes, Alejandro Guerrero Aviles, Brian Heck, Mark Nahorniak, David Stoker, Dana Williams, Joseph Reed, Floyd Harmonson Jr., Kevin Contreres Chicas, Bryce Widner, Kenneth Williams, Alfredo Landaverde, Steven Frey, Steven Strickland, Joshua Cook, Jose Garcia Gonzalez, Ian Nicklin and John Schwabel.

The Bozeman Police Department's post emphasized that the department's work is far from over and they continue to investigate these cases.