Orleans Parish District Attorney’s Office Convenes Two-Day Human Trafficking Training to Strengthen Enforcement and Victim Support

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 27, 2025

ORLEANS PARISH DISTRICT ATTORNEY’S OFFICE CONVENES TWO-DAY HUMAN TRAFFICKING TRAINING TO STRENGTHEN ENFORCEMENT AND VICTIM SUPPORT

NEW ORLEANS, LA (January 16th – 17th) – The Orleans Parish District Attorney’s Office (OPDA) concluded a two-day intensive human trafficking training designed to equip law enforcement officers, prosecutors, and advocates with the latest best practices to combat human trafficking. Led by Dan Nash, a retired Missouri State Trooper and founder of the Human Trafficking Training Center, the training focused on improving investigative techniques to ensure better victim identification and increased offender accountability.

“It’s heartening to see such a dedicated and diverse group of professionals come together for this critical training,” said District Attorney Jason Williams. “Human trafficking is a scourge that devastates lives and communities, and our collective mission is to confront it head-on. This training ensures that we are prepared to protect the most vulnerable among us, especially as we prepare for the Super Bowl and enter Carnival season, a time when traffickers seek to exploit our city’s influx of visitors.”

Dan Nash: Transforming the Approach to Human Trafficking Investigations

The training was led by Dan Nash, a nationally and internationally recognized expert in human trafficking investigations. As a veteran law enforcement officer who has worked at multiple levels of government, Nash has witnessed firsthand how traditional investigative methods have often worsened conditions for victims while failing to hold the majority of traffickers accountable.

Training Focused on Proactive Intervention and Operations

Held at University Medical Center, the training covered two key areas:

Day 1: Human Trafficking Interdiction

• Transitioning from a routine call to a trafficking investigation

• Gathering critical evidence legally and effectively

• Conducting strategic interviews with victims and suspects

Day 2: Human Trafficking Operations

• Planning and executing proactive operations in high-risk areas (hotels, casinos, transit hubs)

• Recognizing the behaviors of traffickers and predators

• Building trust and rapport with victims through trauma-informed approaches

A Unified Effort Across Agencies

The training brought together law enforcement, prosecutors, victim advocates, medical professionals, and federal partners, reinforcing a coordinated approach to combating human trafficking.

Registered agencies included:

• Louisiana State Police

• Galveston County Probation Department

• New Orleans Police Department (NOPD)

• Orleans Parish District Attorney’s Office

• Louisiana Foundation Against Sexual Assault

• FBI

• U.S. Department of Labor, Wage & Hour Division

• U.S. Department of Justice, USAO Eastern District of Louisiana

• Hammond Police Department

• Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office

• East Baton Rouge District Attorney’s Office

• New Orleans Family Justice Center

• Southeast Louisiana Legal Services

• Families in Need of Services (FINS)

• New Orleans EMS

• Department of Defense

“One of the greatest challenges in addressing human trafficking is its hidden nature,” DA Williams noted. “Victims are often concealed in plain sight, making it crucial that we train our law enforcement officers and prosecutors to recognize the signs and act swiftly.”

Strengthening Advocacy and Enforcement

The OPDA’s Special Victims Unit helped organize the training to enhance the city’s ability to identify, rescue, and support survivors.

“This training is not just about enforcement—it’s about advocacy and compassion,” said DA Williams. “It’s about ensuring that survivors know they are not alone and that our justice system is working to protect them.”

DA Williams extended his gratitude to Dan Nash, whose expertise has influenced global efforts to dismantle human trafficking networks. He also recognized the efforts of Deputy Chief of the OPDA Special Victims Unit Michele Jones and SVU Project Manager Sydney Houlemard from OPDA, who worked to bring this vital training to New Orleans.

“Together, we will continue to make New Orleans safer and build a community rooted in justice, awareness, and compassion,” DA Williams concluded.

Dan Nash, founder of the Human Trafficking Training Center (HTTC) and retired Missouri State Trooper, dedicated 27 years to law enforcement, including 24 as an investigator in units like Narcotics/Vice, Criminal Investigation, and the Human Trafficking Unit, which he established. With 15 years of expertise in human trafficking investigations, he also led the Missouri Attorney General’s Statewide Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force.

Nash has trained thousands of law enforcement officers in anti-human trafficking techniques across 30+ states and internationally. He pioneered the Special Victims Methodology™, a nationally adopted investigative approach, and the Four Corner Strategy™, transforming investigations of Illicit Massage Businesses for greater success.

Meghan Connors, a survivor-leader and advocate, is a skilled instructor who uses her lived experience to educate professionals about human trafficking. She has trained hundreds of law enforcement officers, medical personnel, probation staff, and community members on identifying, understanding, and responding to trafficking.

Meghan frequently travels nationwide to teach and shares her insights through panels, podcasts, and public appearances. She has received the prestigious “Overcomers Award” from Harding University, which also established a scholarship in her honor. Additionally, she is the inaugural recipient of the Human Trafficking Training Center’s “Meghan Connors, Be the One” Award, recognizing her exceptional contributions and dedication to combating human trafficking.

Nate Davis serves as the Vice President of North American Operations, where he leads initiatives to combat human trafficking and child exploitation across the region. He works closely with law enforcement agencies, providing critical training, tools, and equipment to support their efforts.

Davis brings extensive experience from his career in law enforcement to his role. He joined Operation Underground Railroad (OUR) in 2021 as the Deputy Regional Director of Asia, where his leadership drove significant organizational growth and impact. During his tenure, OUR expanded into three new countries, doubled the number of operations, arrests, and rescues in the region’s most active office, and pioneered the organization’s first electronic storage detection (ESD) K9 program.

For additional information about the Human Trafficking Training Center and its critical mission to combat human trafficking through education and training, visit HTTC official website: Human Trafficking Training Center.