Moody Recognizes FHP Officers for Human Trafficking Rescue

By Michelle Vecerina

Published Jan. 17, 2023, 2:17 p.m. ET | Updated Jan. 17, 2023

Attorney General Moody Recognizes FHP Troop A for Rescuing Human Trafficking Victim, Jan. 17, 2023.

TALLAHASSEE (FLV) – Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody granted a Back the Blue Award to Florida Highway Patrol Troop A for rescuing a human trafficking victim.

Troopers recovered a female minor, trafficked by a known felon and gang member after a car chase involving the suspect. The trafficker fled the scene and troopers discovered the victim.

The investigation uncovered that the trafficker transported the teenager from South Florida to Okaloosa County and coerced the minor into sex work and child pornography.

Moody also presented the troopers with a Florida Cabinet Resolution, recognizing January as Human Trafficking Prevention Month in Florida, commending law enforcement, local governments and communities for combating the crime.

“I’m proud to present this Back the Blue Award and Cabinet Resolution to the courageous law enforcement officers in FHP Troop A,” Moody said. “They are true heroes who rescued a minor from a dangerous human trafficker. Ending this atrocious crime is one of my top priorities and I’m grateful for our law enforcement in Florida who work daily to help us achieve this lofty goal.”

The attorney general honored the following Troopers for rescuing the victim: Corporal Jacob Moore, Trooper Ethan Ellerbee, Trooper Matthew Davis and Trooper Ronald Khune.

Moody launched the statewide Back the Blue campaign in 2019. The campaign highlights law enforcement officers, citizens and organizations taking extraordinary steps to form relationships between law enforcement and local communities. Since its creation, Moody has presented more than 50 Back the Blue Awards.

Floridians can nominate a law enforcement officer, citizen or organization for a Back the Blue Award or learn more about the campaign on the attorney general’s website.