VOLUME 17 | ISSUE 4 | APRIL 2026 | | HUMAN TRAFFICKING IN THE NEWS | | |
Arrest made after worker rescued from Humboldt cannabis site in labor trafficking probe
EUREKA, Calif. — A labor trafficking investigation at a state-licensed cannabis cultivation site in Humboldt County has led to the arrest of a 45-year-old Bridgeville man after deputies said a worker was found stranded on a remote property without food and without pay. Click here to read more.
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California man convicted of sex trafficking victims across the United States
Seattle –A 33-year-old California man who compelled women into prostitution using assaults, threats, fraud, and manipulation was convicted late yesterday in U.S. District Court in Seattle of six federal felonies related to his multi-state sex trafficking activity, announced First Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles Neil Floyd. Click here to read more.
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Announcing the 2026 Trailblazers: 18 Young Leaders Making a Mark
Meet 18 incredible up-and-coming leaders across the U.S. from all facets of student transportation, including how they advanced, what they learned, and advice for others. (TAT’s Lexi Higgins chosen as Trailblazer.) Click here to read more.
| | TAT, Bridgestone and Haltec work together on two major events in March | | TAT corporate sponsors Bridgestone and Haltec joined other co-hosts in March for two events: a fundraiser for TAT and a TAT Coalition Build (CB) with a focus on trucking and truck stops. | | |
Coalition Build
In partnership with the Ohio Office of the Attorney General, Bridgestone and Haltec Corporation, TAT hosted a CB at Firestone Country Club in Akron, Ohio, on March 24, bringing together 72 attendees from across the transportation, law enforcement, government and nonprofit sectors. With Ohio being a key corridor state for the upcoming World Cup games this summer, this CB provided TAT a timely opportunity to mobilize industry partners.
As part of TAT's enhanced Coalition Build model, the event moved participants from awareness to action, beginning with foundational education on human trafficking and its intersection with the trucking industry, followed by interactive discussions focused on real-world solutions.
| | The CB panel was composed of (L to R) Sara Sefried, TAT; Chief Larry Brown, Summit County Sheriff's Office; Doug Dumolt, Office of the Ohio Attorney General; Josh Holland, Bridgestone; Lamees Abuhashim, ASIA, Inc.; and Megan Vermillion, Hope & Healing Survivor Resource Center. | | Kelley Marshall, TAT training specialist and survivor leader, shared her lived experience with trafficking at the CB. | |  | Ken Coyne, vice president of Business Development for Haltec Corporation, said, “I think it’s imperative that when spreading TAT’s message, companies like Haltec Corporation do so in a vigorous and somewhat aggressive manner, especially in a male-dominated industry. As the leaders of TAT have made quite clear, they are building an army to fight human trafficking, and the only reason you build an army is to go to war. When the primary messaging content of an organization leads with ‘sexual assault, beatings, addiction and forced child labor,’ an immediate call to action is required. Haltec Corporation is committed to this fight and spreading TAT’s messaging. We are in this for the long haul; Haltec is here to stay.” | | | "The trucking industry is uniquely positioned to be a force for disruption against human trafficking," said Sara Sefried, director of Strategic Partnerships at TAT. "When drivers, travel center staff and industry leaders are equipped with the right tools and awareness, they become part of a powerful network that can recognize the signs and take action. This event is about turning that awareness into sustained coordinated impact.” | | |
Fundraiser
On March 5, long-time TAT partner Bridgestone joined forces with Turtle Plastics, Haltec Corporation, WhistlePig, AME Intl. and ACME, a division of AME, to host an unusual fundraiser for TAT. Held during ConExpo, North America’s largest construction trade show, these sustainability- and safety-minded organizations put together a high-impact evening event, called Stand with TAT, with all sales from ticket, cigars and silent auction going directly to TAT. The event took place at the Eight Cigar Lounge inside Resorts World with Jeremy Holm, the actor, standing as host for the evening. The result was a $68,821 donation to TAT.
| | (L to R) Josh Holland and Deb Hamlin from Bridgestone took time for a photo with Esther Goetsch and Heather Fry from TAT and Jeremy Holm, actor and the evening’s host. | | TAT attends Truckload Carriers Association Conference and WEX press conference | | Kylla Lanier, TAT deputy director and senior director of External Affairs, attended the Truckoad Carriers Association (TCA) Conference March 1-3 in Orlando, Florida. | | (L to R) Kylla Lanier from TAT and Matt Crumpton from WEX both spoke at the press conference announcing WEX at the new Harriet Tubman Award sponsor. | | |
While there, Lanier presented to the TCA Communications and Image Committee, took part in a press conference announcing WEX® as TAT’s newest three-year Harriet Tubman Award sponsor, and manned an exhibitor’s booth. Lanier spent time with long-time partners as well as with new companies and schools.
“TAT appreciates TCA and WEX for inviting us to attend and take part in these events,” she said. “We’re always happy for the Harriet Tubman Award to receive greater exposure in hopes of learning some specifics about the individual everyday heroes out there making a difference in the lives of trafficking victims, which we know they’re doing."
| | The Mid-America Trucking Show gives opportunity to speak one-on-one with attendees | | |
TAT staff, along with the Freedom Drivers Project (FDP), attended the Mid-America Trucking Show (MATS) in Louisville, Kentucky March 26-28, to meet with people one-on-one to educate them about human trafficking.
The largest trucking show in the United States, MATS averages attendance between 55,000-70,000 people. TAT staff spoke to more than 9,000 attendees and handed out more than 10,750 wallet cards and 10,000 decals. The Freedom Drivers Project also welcomed guests to tour and learn about trafficking. TAT received volunteers for the event from WEX®, the Kentucky Trucking Association and Walmart, along with Antoine Sadler from the TAT Board of Directors, Arian Taylor from the TAT Advisory Committee and Lloyd Howell, TAT Ambassador.
| | Bruce Jones (center) took a photo with TAT staff manning the booth at MATS after he donated his prize money to TAT for winning TA’s Citizen Driver of the Year. (L to R) Heather Fry, Elizabeth Sweetman, Jones, Kylla Lanier and Micah Larsen. | | One nice surprise was that after being named 2026 Citizen Driver by Travel Centers of America at MATS, Bruce Jones from G&D Trucking/Hoffman Transportation donated his $2500 prize money to TAT. | | TAT’s Elizabeth Sweetman (center) stopped people at MATS to educate them about human trafficking. | | | Janis Frazier, Walmart volunteer, earned the nickname “Janis the Great” for her high-energy work. | | | |
April 2 – UPS Miami FDP Event, Miami, FL
April 6-8 – AzTA (Arizona Transit Association) 39th Annual Statewide Transit Conference, Mesa, AZ
April 7 – 2026 Florida Association for Pupil Transportation Driver Trainer Workshop, Bradenton, FL
April 7-8 – Trucking Association of New York Safe-T – NY’s Safe Trucking Symposium, Saratoga Springs, NY
April 8 – TAT Task Force Lunch N Learn Webinar: Shut Out Human Trafficking – Major Sports Events and Human Trafficking, virtual
April 8 – Massachusetts State Police Law Enforcement Training, Framingham, MA
April 12-15 – 36th Annual National Association of Publicly Funded Truck Driving Schools Conference, Ivins, UT
April 13-15 – Ontario Transportation Expo, Toronto, Ontario
April 14 – Greater Northeast Motorcoach Association 2026 Spring Meeting, Monticello, NY
April 14-16 – M-PACT Fuel and Convenience Tradeshow, hosted by the Kentucky Petroleum Marketers Association, Indianapolis, IN
April 15 – 2026 Threat Liaison Officer Summit, hosted by Illinois State Police, E. Peoria, IL
April 15 – Southeast New Mexico STEPS Network Chapter Quarterly Meeting, Carlsbad, NM
April 16-18 – Truck World, Mississauga, Ontario
April 16-19 – Alabama Trucking Association 2026 Convention, Orange Beach, AL
April 16 – American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators and TAT webinar, virtual
April 19-23 – Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance Spring Workshop, Chicago, IL
April 20 – Regionalized Human Trafficking Recovery Task Force Meeting, hosted by the Hartford, Connecticut State’s Attorney’s Office, virtual
April 20-23 – Greater Rockies Immersive Training on Human Trafficking 2026 Summit, hosted by Montana and Wyoming Attorneys’ General Offices, Billings, MT
April 21 – PI Magazine’s Human Trafficking Symposium, Mahwah, NJ
April 21 – Pennsylvania Public Transportation Association 2026 Annual Meeting and Expo, Lancaster, PA
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April 22 – 2026 Oklahoma Safety Council Conference and Expo, Oklahoma City, OK
April 22 – Philadelphia Bus Terminal Ambassador Training, hosted by the Philadelphia Parking Authority, Philadelphia, PA
April 23 – Trucking/Truck Stop Coalition Build hosted by TAT, New Hampshire State Police and the New Hampshire Motor Transport Association, Concord, NH
April 24 – The Rhode Island Trucking Association and the New England Tractor Training School FDP Event, Pawtucket, RI
April 25 – The Motor Transport Association of Connecticut and the New England Tractor Training School FDP Event, Somers, CT
April 25 – The Motor Transport Association of Connecticut and the New England Tractor Training School FDP Event, Bridgeport, CT
April 27-28 – National Interstate Safety Summit, hosted by National Interstate and Vanliner Insurance, Cleveland, OH
April 27 – American Bus Association Board of Directors Meeting, Washington, D.C.
April 28-29 – Wyoming Department of Transportation Maintenance Supervisors Meeting, Casper, WY
April 28-30 – Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration MCSAP Planning Meeting, New Orleans, LA
April 28 – Combating Human Trafficking: How the Energy Industry can Disrupt Human Trafficking Networks, hosted by the Oklahoma Energy Workgroup, Oklahoma City, OK
April 28 – New York State Police 2026 Empire State Law Enforcement Traffic Safety Conference, Saratoga Springs, NY
April 28 – Pennsylvania Motor Truck Association 2026 Annual Membership Conference, Pittsburgh, PA
April 29 – Wyoming Human Trafficking Task Force, hosted by the Wyoming Attorney General’s Office, virtual
April 30 – Rocky Mountain Pipeliners Club Spring Luncheon, Denver, CO
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