15-05-2025
Reeves County Sheriff's Office addresses social media rumor of human trafficking ring
PECOS, Texas (KMID/KPEJ)- The Reeves County Sheriff's Office is responding to growing concern over a social media post that has gone viral in the Permian Basin, warning residents about an alleged human trafficking ring targeting children and women in West Texas and New Mexico.
In an official statement posted to the department's Facebook page, Sheriff Arturo 'Art' Granado said there have been no verified reports of such activity in Reeves County and urged the public not to panic.
'There has been reports of a trafficking ring hitting New Mexico and West Texas,' the alert reads. 'Do not be alarmed by this post circulating social media, as there has been NO reports of such activity [in Reeves County].'
The viral message, which appears to be a screenshot of a text message or Facebook post, claims that law enforcement in Pecos caught two suspects involved in a child trafficking operation. The post goes on to warn families to keep children inside, and advises that 'all females need to be home or in a hotel before dark.' It also alleges that police instructed people to spread the warning because it's 'not in the press.'
Sheriff Granado clarified that while public safety is always a priority, the information shared in that message has not been confirmed by local authorities.
'We write to bring your attention to a matter of concern… Do not be alarmed… Stay alert, stay safe,' Granado said.
The Sheriff's Office is encouraging residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity directly to law enforcement, rather than relying on unverified posts.
This comes amid a broader trend of viral warnings spreading across Texas communities. In recent months, similar alerts about human trafficking rings have circulated online and been debunked by authorities in other countries.
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