Human Trafficking Task Force

Yellowstone County Area, Montana

stop

human

trafficking

CALL

Trafficking Card QR Code

Emergencies:
911
Local Law Enforcement

24-Hour Victim Services
833-406-STOP or 406STOP.COM
Montana Anti-Trafficking Hotline
(call, text, or live chat)

Tips/Anything Suspicious:

406-254-8117
FBI Special Agent Brandon Walter

406-413-0035
MT DOJ Trafficking Supervisor Andrew Yedinak

406-657-8200
Billings Police Officer Earl Campbell

Victim Services:
call 888-816-4702
tumbleweedprogram.org
text 233733 (BeFree) 1-9pm MST

RECOGNIZE SEX TRAFFICKING VICTIMS: POSSIBLE SIGNS

NEVER APPROACH A SUSPECTED TRAFFICKING SITUATION!

HISTORY AND MISSION

The Human Trafficking Task Force was created in 2016 by volunteers to fight human trafficking, by helping to coordinate the efforts of law enforcement, service providers, and community groups and volunteers in Yellowstone County, Montana and in the surrounding areas in their work to investigate and prosecute traffickers, to assist victims of sex trafficking and labor trafficking, to increase community awareness and prevent future trafficking. It has been registered with the state as a nonprofit since 2020.

The Task Force has grown to over 800 members, representing individuals and over 100 partner organizations and agencies. It is led by a steering committee, which includes law enforcement, service providers, and volunteers. The Task Force has been instrumental in increasing public understanding and awareness of sex trafficking and forced labor in rural areas, including IMBs.

The Task Force has conducted over 100 trainings, hosted Montana’s largest trafficking conference, distributed over 50,000 signs of trafficking cards, coordinated public awareness campaigns, helped launch other regional task forces, and coordinated with members to save resources and fill gaps in services.

The mission of the Task Force is to eliminate human trafficking in Yellowstone County and surrounding areas, by:
• Increasing awareness and educating the community;
• Engaging and training law enforcement and prosecutors to
identify, investigate, and prosecute traffickers;
• Identifying, supporting and protecting victims;
• Assisting educators and others who serve victims and at-risk
youth;
• Facilitating coordination and information sharing among
service providers, supporting service providers, and
developing partnerships to fill service gaps and avoid
duplication of efforts;
• Activating government and business leaders; and
• Working together to fight trafficking and protect its victims.

Selected Projects, Awards, and Accomplishments

Structure, Leadership, And Membership

Members

The Task Force’s volunteer co-chairs founded the Task Force, along with the FBI and U.S. Attorney’s Office. The Task Force’s Steering Committee (SC) consists of the co-chairs, coordinators, committee chairs, and other leaders.

Stop Trafficking Montana Leadership Group

Volunteer Task Force Leaders

The work of the Task Force is divided into three primary committees and one coordinator position to help manage the Task Force’s partnerships:

The Task Force now includes over 800 representatives from over 100 organizations, including the USAO, FBI, MT and local law enforcement, prosecutors, government, schools, hospitals, nonprofits, churches, businesses, and the community.

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Co-Chairs: Melanie Tripp, Zonta
Scott Koch, Whitewood Transport

Co-Chairs: Michele Stewart, FBI
Rhonda Busenitz (USAO), Co-Chair
Georgia Cady, Tumbleweed
Erin Lambert, YWCA
Dr. Cynthia Brewer, Billings Clinic
Erin Harris, Yellowstone County Attorney’s Office

Co-Chair: Brandon Walter, FBI
Co-Chair: Zeno Baucus
Co-Chair: Andy Yedinak, MT DOJ

Erin Walker, End Exploitation Montana

News

Project Hope Kits

Our Task Force routinely supplies our area law enforcement officers with Project Hope Kits to help victims of human trafficking that they encounter.  If you can help, please consider donating any of the clothing, specific gift cards, or toiletry items that are needed for these kits. Donate Here Donations can be dropped off anytime during the week during business hours to one of our officers – either at (1) Moulton Bellingham PC, which is located at the DoubleTree Hotel at 27 N 27th St #1900, Billings, MT 59101, Suite 1900, or (2) Comtech, 7535 Entryway Drive.  

Read More »

Events

HOW TO GET INVOLVED

There are many ways to get involved in the fight against human trafficking
in our area:

  • The Task Force meets quarterly in person at the Billings Public
    Library and by Zoom. Please email us to get on the email list, and
    you will get notices of those meetings.
  • Its three committees each have their own meeting schedules.
  • Protection and Victim Services and Prosecution and Law Enforcement meet as needed. Contact us if you work in one of these fields and want to join either of these committees.
  • Prevention and Community Awareness meets monthly on the second Tuesday of every month at 11:30 AM at Underriner Honda. Anyone who wants to help fight trafficking in our area is welcomed to join those meetings.
  • Contact us at stoptraffickingmontana@gmail.com with any questions or to be added to our distribution list.
  • Join one of our over 100 partner organizations.
  • Follow us on: