8 More Arrested In Sex Sting

It's happened again. Another 8 people have been arrested in an undercover online sex sting in Rapid City. 

On Tuesday, police arrested 59-year-old Jimmi Ashley of Rapid City at her home for prostitution.

Then Thursday, authorities arrested 18-year-old Kristyle Sanchez of Allentown, Pennsylvania for prostitution. 

And on the very same day, police arrested these six people who responded to online ads for sexual activity.

They are:
Michael L. Runge, 49 of Rapid City
Michael C. Wescoat, 29 of Belle Fourche
Mark V. Siebenthal, 46 of Rapid City
Jay T. Schroeder, 58 of Rapid City
William J. Bad Wound, 31 of Rapid City
Derek A. Johnson, 33 of Rapid City

These arrests follow a sex sting earlier this month during the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, where eight more people were arrested on similar charges. 
 
As we've reported, it's been an ongoing problem in our state for years, but authorities and those who deal with the victims say they are committed to fighting sex trafficking.

KELOLAND News has shown you the dramatic undercover video of law enforcement taking down suspects who respond to fake online prostitution ads.

But what we can't show you are the real victims of sex trafficking. 
 
"When they come out of sex trafficking, there's a lot of fear," Executive Director of Call To Freedom Becky Rasmussen said.

Becky Rasmussen is the executive director of Call To Freedom, a local non-profit organization that provides a number of services for the victims. 
 
"Once they get here, we work with emergency housing, mental health, chemical dependency, wherever they're at, we help fill in those gaps to get them the service they need, so they don't go back into it," Rasmussen said.

Rasmussen says most of the women and girls used in prostitution want to get out, but don't know where to turn for help. 
 
"If you can't provide all of those services for those individuals coming out, then they are not going to successfully transition back into society," Rasmussen said.

South Dakota has more convictions of human trafficking than any other state and Rasmussen says despite the efforts by local law enforcement and awareness campaigns, these latest arrests show the problem still exists. 
 
"I'm so thankful for law enforcement that they believe in this issue and they are doing something about it. If we can send a statement to those who are purchasing, 'We are going to get you,' we are going to eliminate that demand side," Rasmussen said. 
 
Call to Freedom has helped 20 women since March and consistently serve 12 women on a daily basis.