Oct 16, 2023

Deputies found 12 human trafficking victims in Kansas motel

Posted Oct 16, 2023 1:00 PM
Tienda-photo Hamilton Co.
Tienda-photo Hamilton Co.

HAMILTON COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating suspects for alleged Human Trafficking.

A man later identified as 51-year-old Antonio Castro Tienda of Mesa Arizona was transporting twelve people from Arizona to an unknown destination. The twelve displaced victims were transported to the Boarders Inn Suites in Syracuse Kansas, according to a media release from the Hamilton County Sheriff.

Photo Hamilton Co. Sheriff
Photo Hamilton Co. Sheriff

Just after 6a.m. Friday The Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call stating Tienda was there trying to take the displaced victims by force.

Upon arrival Tienda left the Motel in a van. At 9:41 am the vehicle was located in a parking lot in the 300 block of west Avenue A in Syracuse, Kansas.

Tienda was found in a nearby restaurant where he was taken into custody. The investigation revealed Tienda is related to a human trafficking organization out of the Phoenix Arizona area. The suspect was identified as Antonio Castro Tienda 51 Mesa Arizona. This is an ongoing investigation and no other details will be released at this time.

On Sunday, Marshall County Sheriff Marshall Unruh reported deputies stopped a van Sunday on U S highway 40 in Wallace County. The individuals were arrested and are being processed for 11 counts of felony human trafficking by the Wallace County Sheriff’s Office.