SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO AM) - A Milwaukee woman was arrested Saturday for prostitution and sexual exploitation of a minor for bringing a 15-year-old girl with her to Sioux Falls.
Officer Sam Clemens says the arrest was part of a nationwide effort focusing on human trafficking of juveniles.
Clemens says 20-year-old Meairra Wilson is charged with sexual exploitation of a minor, promoting prostitution, pimping and prostitution. He says detectives did not charge her human trafficking because they couldn't prove there was force, fraud or coercion and he says the case just couldn't meet those threshholds.
Clemens says street crime detectives arranged to meet with Wilson through an online ad in the southwest part of town Saturday evening. The 15-year-old girl is not charged with any crime and she is being held until relatives can come to Sioux Fall and take her back. He says she was not considered a runaway.
The nationwide effort to combat human trafficking was called "Operation Cross Country." This arrest included the Sioux Falls Police, South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, the FBI and Homeland Security.
