Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) Director Vic Reynolds sent a message to human traffickers Wednesday — the state is turning up the heat on this “modern day slavery.”
Reynolds joined Governor Brian Kemp, First Lady Marty Kemp, Attorney General Chris Carr, and Criminal Justice Coordinating Council (CJCC) Executive Director Jay Neal in announcing the formation of a new Human Exploitation and Trafficking (HEAT) Unit to be housed within the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.
“The Governor and First Lady have made it abundantly clear that we will not tolerate this behavior in the state of Georgia,” said Reynolds. “I want you to know without any equivocation that the GBI is coming after you and we intend on pursuing these cases in every corner of this state.
“You will not sell human beings in the state of Georgia,” Reynolds added. “We are committed to ending this modern day slavery and we are committed to ending it now.”
The HEAT Unit will focus on the enforcement efforts of commercial sex trafficking and labor trafficking as well as the rescue of adult trafficking victims. It will be led by a special agent in charge and an assistant special agent in charge. As a startup, the unit will be staffed with four special agents. The Criminal Justice Coordinating Council funded two special agents through grants and the GBI assigned two agents.
“I am proud of the work that the Georgia Bureau of Investigation has done in the fight against human trafficking,” said Governor Kemp. “With this new HEAT Unit, Director Reynolds will have the resources he needs to crack down on this criminal enterprise and ensure that perpetrators are held accountable. By coordinating our efforts with the First Lady’s GRACE Commission, Attorney General Chris Carr, and our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners, Georgia is making huge strides in combating this evil industry.”
According to Reynolds, the ultimate vision of the unit is that it become a multi-agency task force with participation from local, state and federal partners much like the gang task force created nearly 17 months ago by Kemp.
“Today, we take another important step forward in the fight to end human trafficking,” said First Lady Kemp. “I want to applaud Director Reynolds and his team for their hard work in creating this new unit. I am confident it will be a force for good in our state.”
“Our office is excited to welcome the GBI’s new HEAT Unit to the fight against human trafficking,” said Attorney General Chris Carr. “Their presence will increase Georgia’s comprehensive approach to eradicating human trafficking – in all its forms – and our Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit looks forward to working together to protect Georgia.”
