DPS Special Agents Rescue 15-Year-Old Sex Trafficking Victim

HOUSTON, TX -- Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) Special Agents rescued a 15-year-old female victim of sex trafficking and arrested two of her traffickers – an adult female and male –during an investigation that began last week in Harris County.

Special Agents assigned to the Human Trafficking Unit of the Criminal Investigations Division developed information from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children that the 15-year-old was being forced into prostitution and set out to locate her. Last week, investigators found the child, and a DPS Trooper took her to a nearby hospital for an assessment and possible treatment, then released her to Child Protective Services.

Through investigative techniques, Special Agents discovered sex advertisements depicting the image of the child and learned her adult female trafficker – Imani Cole, 22, of Spring – allegedly created the ad. Investigators arrested Cole on Oct. 24.

Additional efforts led to yesterday’s arrest of Raven Lovings, 28, of Houston, for his alleged role in the child’s sex trafficking.

Investigators arrested Imani Cole for trafficking of a child and compelling prostitution of a person under 18 years of age. Raven Lovings was arrested for trafficking of a child, compelling prostitution of a person under 18 years of age, and sexual assault of a person over 14 years of age. Both were taken to the Harris County jail for the mentioned felony offenses.

DPS reminds Texans they may be the missing link that helps rescue a child from human trafficking. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children offers several warning signs that may indicate a child is being trafficked. Those wishing to receive help or report a tip may call the National Human Trafficking hotline at 1-888-373-7888 or send a text to BeFree (233733) 24 hours a day, seven days a week or contact their nearest law enforcement agency.