Human trafficking complaint leads to arrest of Lexington man

FRANKFORT, Ky. (WTVQ)- The attorney general’s office says a 37-year-old Lexington man has been arrested on promoting prostitution and drug paraphernalia charges stemming from a human trafficking complaint.

Investigators say Andre Hilliard was arrested on misdemeanor charges March 7 and was lodged at Fayette County Community Corrections.

The victim in the case was referred to services and more arrests are expected in the ongoing investigation.

Signs of a Victim of Human Trafficking

There is no one single indicator of human trafficking, but a combination of these signs are common in victims:

• Travel together and have identical tattoos, branding.
• Unable to identify what town or state they are in or where they are staying.
• Lack official identification documents and personal possessions.
• Appear malnourished and have physical injuries.
• Avoid eye contact and adhere to limited, scripted or rehearsed responses in social interaction.
• Loss of sense of time.
• Possess multiple pre-paid credit cards.

Reporting Human Trafficking

The attorney general’s office says it is the law to report any suspected case of child trafficking, and that everyone has a role to play in preventing human trafficking:

• If a human trafficking victim is in immediate danger dial 911.
• To report suspected human trafficking of a child, call 877-KYSAFE1.
• Victims of human trafficking may also call or text the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 888-373-7888. Interpreters are available.

Through a partnership with his office’s Department of Criminal Investigations, the Polaris Project, which oversees the National Human Trafficking Hotline, and the Kentucky State Police (KSP), national hotline tips are now routed through KSP headquarters.