Twelve men ranging from 24 to 46 years old were arrested in Eden Prairie after attempting to solicit a non-existent 17-year-old girl for paid sexual services, walking straight into a carefully orchestrated sting operation designed to catch child predators.
Key Takeaways
- Twelve men were arrested in an Eden Prairie human trafficking sting after attempting to solicit an undercover officer posing as a 17-year-old girl.
- Ten of the twelve arrested individuals have already been charged with felonies that carry a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a $20,000 fine.
- The operation is part of ongoing efforts by Eden Prairie police, who have conducted 38 stings since 2016, resulting in 401 arrests and support for 117 victims.
- The sting was conducted by a multi-agency task force including seven police departments and the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office.
- Suspects were found with various items including cash, cell phones, firearms, and in some cases, illegal drugs.
Predators Caught in the Act
On June 23, Eden Prairie police conducted a meticulously planned sting operation that led to the arrest of twelve men who believed they were meeting a teenage girl for commercial sex. Each suspect was explicitly informed they were communicating with a 17-year-old, yet they continued to arrange meetings, ultimately leading to their arrests at a designated location in Eden Prairie. These predators, hailing from various locations across the Twin Cities metro area and Wisconsin, walked directly into the hands of law enforcement, bringing with them cash, cell phones, and in some cases, firearms and illegal drugs.
This operation represents another successful effort in the ongoing battle against human trafficking and exploitation in Minnesota. According to authorities, nine of the men have been charged with one count each of prostitution of a minor, a serious felony under Minnesota law. The sting involved posting a “decoy” advertisement online, with an undercover officer posing as the minor. No actual juveniles were involved in the operation, protecting potential victims while still catching those with predatory intentions.
A dozen men were arrested for soliciting a minor in a human trafficking sting in Eden Prairie on Monday. https://t.co/dY0Zzixrj6
— FOX 9 (@FOX9) June 28, 2025
Multi-Agency Coordination Shows Results
The successful operation was conducted by Eden Prairie police with crucial support from the 494 Corridor Group, a specialized multi-agency task force focused on combating trafficking and exploitation in the Interstate 494 corridor. This collaborative effort included police departments from Bloomington, Edina, Maple Grove, Minnetonka, Plymouth, and Richfield, along with the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office. By pooling resources and expertise, these agencies have created an effective network for identifying and apprehending individuals seeking to exploit minors.
As of Thursday’s report, ten of the twelve arrests had resulted in felony charges, with the remaining two cases still under review by prosecutors. The felony charge involves prostitution with a person believed to be between 16 and 17 years old, which carries severe consequences under Minnesota law – a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a $20,000 fine. These penalties reflect the serious nature of crimes targeting vulnerable minors in our communities.
Part of a Larger Effort to Protect Children
This recent sting operation is just one part of Eden Prairie’s comprehensive approach to combating human trafficking. Since 2016, Eden Prairie police have conducted an impressive 38 sting operations, resulting in 401 arrests and providing support to 117 victims trapped in exploitation. These operations serve dual purposes: reducing the demand for commercial sex while simultaneously identifying and assisting potential trafficking victims. The consistent enforcement sends a clear message that predatory behavior targeting minors will not be tolerated.
The Eden Prairie operation demonstrates how local law enforcement continues to prioritize the protection of children from exploitation. While the Biden administration’s border policies have allowed millions of illegal immigrants to enter the country, creating opportunities for human traffickers to operate with impunity, these local police departments are taking a stand. President Trump has consistently emphasized the importance of protecting America’s children from predators and traffickers, making operations like this one crucial in the ongoing fight against exploitation of minors.
