At least three people were arrested and eight people rescued — including two children — following a human trafficking operation Friday night at two St. Joseph truck stops, according to Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt.

Five women, one man, a two-year-old and an infant were rescued in the operation at Bucky’s and Love’s Travel Stop, according to a news release from Schmitt’s office. They were given services including food, lodging, medical services and counseling.

“This unprecedented success should send clear a message to traffickers: you are not welcome in Missouri, and you can’t hide any longer,” Schmitt said in a statement.

A fourth arrest was pending, Schmitt said.

The Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force, in Schmitt’s office, coordinated with several law enforcement agencies, including the St. Joseph Police Department, Missouri State Highway Patrol, Kansas City Police Department, Buchanan County Sheriff’s Office, Johnson County Sheriff’s Office, FBI, U.S. Marshals, Department of Corrections, Probation and Parole and State Parks.

Cortlynn Stark

The Kansas City Star

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Cortlynn Stark writes about finance and the economy for The Sum. She is a Certified Financial Education Instructor℠ with the National Financial Educators Council. She previously covered City Hall for The Kansas City Star and joined The Star in January 2020 as a breaking news reporter. Cortlynn studied journalism and Spanish at Missouri State University.