Charla Aramayo, Sex Trafficking, South Dakota 2012

Sioux Falls, SD – A sex trafficking ring that spanned across several Midwest states has been dismantled, resulting in four federal indictments and convictions. The ring, which sold dozens of girls and young women for sex, was uncovered by a team of investigators in January 2012.

Charla Aramayo, a Special Agent with the Department of Homeland Security Investigations, was among the team members who worked tirelessly to bring the perpetrators to justice. Aramayo’s dedication, along with that of her colleagues, has made a significant impact on the lives of numerous victims.

The team’s efforts resulted in four federal indictments and convictions, with sentences ranging from a 33-year prison term to four life sentences. The convictions served as a testament to the team’s professionalism and interagency cooperation.

In recognition of their outstanding dedication and service, the team members were awarded Department of Justice Certificates of Appreciation during National Crime Victims’ Rights Week.

The awards ceremony was held on April 23, 2015, at the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Sioux Falls, where Acting United States Attorney Randolph J. Seiler presented the honorees with their awards.

The team members honored for their work in dismantling the sex trafficking ring include:

Charla Aramayo, Special Agent – Department of Homeland Security Investigations
Gretchen Slate, Special Agent – SD Division of Criminal Investigation/FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force
Gayle Scott, Victim Specialist – FBI
Matthew J. Miller, Special Agent – FBI
Michael D. Melcher, Special Agent – FBI
Stephanie Knapp, Child/Adolescent Forensic Interviewer – FBI Office for Victim Assistance in Loveland, CO
Cullen McClure, Officer – Sioux Falls Police Department – Street Crimes Unit
Brad Smidt, Detective – Sioux Falls Police Department – Street Crimes Unit
Doug Thesenvitz, Tribal Prosecutor for the Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe
Hollie Strand, Education Specialist/Forensic Interviewer with Child Advocacy Center (CAC) of the Black Hills

The Victims of Crime Act was passed by Congress in 1984, and National Crime Victims’ Rights Week honors and celebrates the achievements of the past thirty years in securing rights, protections, and services for victims.

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