You got a warning with us, bud. Where are you going to dear? >> Coming with me. >> What's your date of breakfast? >> You were performing oral them for hours or something hours. >> If they did stuff to you as well for he >> did stuff to you, but she was trying to get you to do stuff. >> You like take pictures and post them on his >> Can you get sensitive crimes out here? This is a case. >> Saturday, March 2nd, 2024, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. A traffic stop over an expired registration led to the discovery of one of the most disturbing human trafficking cases in the city. Within minutes, a routine intervention became the breaking point of a network marked by coercion and fear. Behind the wheel wasn't just an impaired driver. It was a man with a criminal record, a missing minor, and a story that had been hidden in silence for days. I'm Tyler, and this is your daily dose of crime. Make sure that you never miss a case. Be sure to subscribe to Daily Dose of Crime right now and join the investigation in the comments below. We'll be waiting for you there. >> Hello, Deputy Mold Sheriff's Office. Reason you're being stopped is this plate comes back to a BMW, not a >> Volkswagen. traffic stop. >> Do you have any paperwork on the car? >> Um, I just bought it actually. >> You just bought it? >> Yeah. >> Who' you buy it from? >> You don't have a driver's license, boss? Yes, sir. >> You still live off 21st? 25. Okay. 28%. 24. [snorts] >> Can I get another one? Driver's got one with us. >> Kenneth, can you hop on out? Huh? Yeah, I got the bad warrant with us. Got >> anything on you or anything, man? >> Got a warrant. >> Hold on. We'll talk to you later. >> What you mean all that? >> I got to talk. >> Okay. >> The streets are almost empty when a patrol unit spots a vehicle with expired plates near 21st Street and West National Avenue. The driver, Kenneth Ray Hampton, age 36, responds calmly, but his pauses and contradictions raise suspicion. He claims to have recently purchased the car, though he provides no documentation to prove it. During the verification, officers discover that his license is suspended and that he has an active warrant. Hampton avoids eye contact, but complies without resistance. Within minutes, what began as a traffic stop now begins to take on a far more serious tone. >> 300 bucks. >> It's 300 bucks. 300 bucks. >> I can pay it right now. >> You can't pay it right now. You got to go down to jail. Pay it. >> Anything else I need? I don't even know about him over. >> How much you have to drink tonight, bud? >> Nothing. >> Nothing. >> Smell it. >> I can smell it, dude. >> It's my birthday. Come on, man. Come on. I'll be there, man. >> I just turned 36 today. >> How much do you have to drink, dude? >> Nothing. >> I can smell it, my guy. >> Man, today is my birthday. >> Okay. Maybe maybe your birthday, but how much did you have to drink? >> Good luck, man. >> We smell it off, man. Just get a seat. >> Just trying to ask you a simple question. All the basics. >> Where you guys coming from? >> Where you coming from? We're going actually home. >> Where are you coming from? >> Oh, his cousin's house. >> Where's his cousin's house? >> I have no idea. I'm not from this side. >> Okay. So, he came flying by me on 27th Street. That's what caught my eye. >> Okay. >> So, did he have anything to drink today? >> Did I? No. >> Did he? Did he? >> I'm not sure. I just got with him. >> Okay. What do you mean you just got What do you mean by you? >> I just got like I know who he is, but like I literally just got to his cousin's house with him. >> Okay. Is that his phone at the under the seat? >> Uh, yeah. I probably want that. >> Okay. All right. >> Anybody? Where are you guys heading to? >> Well, I'm about to go home off >> and what? >> Uh, the hell you guys doing on the south side? >> I'm not from here. I don't know where we're at, actually. So, I don't know. That's all I know is that where that's where I live. >> Where are you going to, dear? >> She's coming with me. Coming back. >> I'm trying to figure out how the hell you guys are why you guys are on the south side. >> Somebody else want to come back. Okay. That's why you pulled over abruptly on the side of the road. >> Oh, >> right here. >> Yeah, right over here. >> Yeah, probably. >> Okay. >> Custody for the warrant right now. >> What's up? >> Um, can I mobile? Give us a couple of minutes. Okay. Do you have is there anything in the car that has the VIN on it? >> The VIN number? >> Yep. That I can instead of having to rig it off the front that I can just >> cuz that has nothing with the VIN on it. >> If you don't, that's fine. I'll just I'll just I'll just rig it off. That's fine. >> Like I said, >> I don't. I'm sorry. >> Okay, that's fine. >> Just can you >> Oh, it's plates don't match it. So, >> is this um your car, ma'am, or whose car is this? He just >> Oh, he did. Okay. How long ago was that? >> I don't know. >> Okay. All right. He said it was in your name. So, clearly he did. >> It might be, but I do buy it. He did. >> Do you learn dispatch? >> I'm his girlfriend, so you might put it in my name. >> That's weird. Can you run a vent for me? >> As the officers secure the vehicle, the atmosphere shifts. In the back seat, a young girl keeps her eyes down and answers only when necessary. Beside her, an older woman tries to explain their route, but her version doesn't match the drivers. The officer senses something's off. Restrained gestures, long silences, a fear that doesn't come from the arrest itself. Finding no visible evidence, they decide to document both passengers information. Unaware they're only moments away from uncovering the true scope of the situation. >> I have it. It's in this. >> He said he got one more in here. >> And then um uh that be cash when you're done. >> Cash is in here with this property. >> That's what I'm saying. Can you go see if I >> What? What? What cash you talking about? >> It's 300. Oh, I mean it's $300. This is what I took out of his pocket. $30. >> William Victor George >> Boy Victor 736. >> Um and then Yeah. So he's going to go down to the jail. He's got to be like served some papers and stuff. So it's not going to be one of those things where you go there. >> Yeah, I got that stuff number by. >> Okay. All right. So he'll call you once you get down there. He'll talk to uh like the justice point. They'll let him know what's going on, what he's looking at, how many days he'll be there. He'll probably >> um go ahead. Um >> it matches the one on the It does. Okay. One to dispatch when it's disabled. >> What's up, Mr. Hampton? >> He lost my cuss a little bit. >> Give us a minute. Okay, we got to >> Once we get to the jail, I'm going to run you through some tests. Okay. >> Is they going to pick up my car? >> You You're legally parked, bud. [snorts] >> Oh, wait. What they going to do with it? >> As far as I'm concerned, it's staying here. Is my wife okay? >> Yeah. >> Just say it's tight for now. >> You get that car come back? >> Yeah, Ricky got it back. >> Okay. So, what were you coming through the vi down the vi up toward? You're dropping somebody off. >> Yeah. on 23rd National. >> Yep. I guess so. >> Okay. >> That's a straight race. >> Yeah. >> About to go cuz I can go, right? >> He's going to run your your information to make sure you have a what? >> To make sure you have a valid driver's license. >> Oh, I'm not driving the car. I'm about to walk. >> Oh, well, the other thing is we The state wants to know like who's in a vehicle cuz I'm going to run them through a field soiety test. >> So, the state wants to know who's inside the vehicle when uh if somebody's arrested for OWR. Uh, can I call my son real quick? Cuz I mean that's where I was going to. He's only seven. >> Yeah, you can call your son. This >> passenger. >> What? >> I don't have anymore. Oh, I do. Yes. >> PA. >> Huh? >> Ta. >> What happened? >> Oh, >> you got some on that I already took care of. >> As the inspection continues, more inconsistencies emerge. Hampton, who has prior convictions dating back to 2010 for driving under the influence and failing to obey court orders, is once again linked to a criminal offense. The woman in the front seat has an active warrant in Wesha County, potentially connecting her to a broader criminal pattern. The officer's attention soon shifts to the backseat passenger, a young girl who appears underage. She refuses to give up her real name, says she lost her ID, and avoids looking at officers. Her breathing quickens each time Hampton's name is mentioned. And at that point, they realize they may not be dealing with a witness, but with someone who needs immediate protection. >> I'm going to deal with my dad. >> Me and him. >> I still got to run. I'll get it. Do you have an ID on you, ma'am? >> I lost it on the bus. I don't know. >> I didn't I don't remember asking you for an ID. Okay. >> Oh, that was him. My bad. >> I'm sorry. >> That was him. My bad. I lost my phone and it had my ID in the back of case. Okay, just give me a second. I'll be right back. >> Yeah. >> Last name Quinton. >> I didn't. >> Okay. >> Okay. >> Yeah. What's your name? >> I give it to him. >> Can you just give it to me cuz he's busy right now. middle name. >> What's your birthday? >> June 20 June 13th, 20 2003. My bad. >> Sure. >> Mhm. >> Positive. >> Swear to God. >> Okay, hang tight. Do you have a Wisconsin driver's license? >> No. >> No. What state? Or I Wisconsin ID? >> I said I lost it on the bus. But did you have a Wisconsin ID? >> Yeah. >> Yep. >> All right, man. Uh, one of two things. You can tell us your real name or we can take you down to the gym, ID you down there, and then charge you with an instruction for giving us a fake name. Which one's it going to be? >> Okay. Well, then tell us your real name. >> Why you're not telling in 03? You got some sort of police contact. So, >> let me just uh let me just check and then we'll uh we'll go from there. >> You're not in any trouble right now. >> But they're both going to jail. So, if you're underage, we're we can't just let you be, bro. You're under 18. You know what I mean? >> Um what's worried about them? That's We're not We're not worried about them. Okay. Go ahead. >> What's your um >> What's your last name? >> What's your date of birth? >> What are you doing? >> Give it a buck. Tell me the truth. >> Tell me the truth. >> We're here to protect you. We're not We're not here to >> sell you out. >> Are they trying to get you to do things? >> I was walking earlier. Yeah, I think >> right. We we know that already >> to grab all your things. They ask you to do any like favors or anything like that? Don't lie to me. >> You being honest with me or They didn't tell you if they want any sort of >> missing. When the officers attempt to identify her, the girl gives a false name, hesitates, and finally admits she wasn't telling the truth. Her nervousness confirms their suspicions. She could be a person at risk. A state database search confirms it. She's a 17-year-old minor reported missing only days earlier. The stop now becomes an official rescue operation. During the preliminary interview, she explains that she had been kept at a house in Milwaukeee's west side where her movements and communications were controlled. Her account matches prior intelligence from an ongoing operation on suspected human trafficking in the city's southside, an area identified by the Department of Justice as high risk for these crimes. That confirmation changes the course of the night. The officers have just intercepted one of the visible links in an active trafficking network. >> Yeah. >> How long have you been missing? >> I don't know. I was in the group earlier and I slept there last night. >> I'll check but yeah, it's missing 211. Dispatch can confirm the missing Jew now that we've got also. >> Yeah. Last name. We're still working on >> 10 4 or offering. We sell that tomorrow. where we're going to walk this. >> Hey, I I'm going to talk to these guys. We've got a missing juvenile through you guys. >> What's up? >> We've got a missing juvenile through you guys in the car right now and it looks like it's turning on into something bigger than than just her being missing. >> Okay. So, um I don't know. Can you just hang tight with us until we figure out how >> how we're going to deal with this? >> So, you were performing oral with him for hours. You said >> an hour. >> An hour straight or with the breaks in the >> Do I need to get sensitive crimes out here? >> Can you get sensitive crimes out here? This is a trafficking case. >> It's a Okay. All right. Just one. Yeah. I'll call the boss right now. >> All right. Sorry about this, man. But this went this went from a simple stop to two warrants, a drunk and missing juvenile that's been performing oral on a driver who's a juvenile. >> I'm going to call my boss right now. >> Thanks a lot, man. >> I don't think the car is on. [snorts] >> You don't need to turn it on. >> Yeah. I don't even know how to drive. >> Yeah. Uh, did you Does she have the keys? >> Check her property. Otherwise, we could put her in the back of his car. She's afraid of police cars and she always she thinks she's kind of in trouble. So, um um you okay? Okay. So, we're just in a holding pattern right now about for what's going on with everything. All right. So, just bear with us. >> Do you need one of my the group home workers number? >> Do you have their number? Do you have a phone? You know it by heart. Do you have a phone on you? >> No. >> I lost my phone. >> You So, you you did you actually did lose your phone? >> Yeah. >> Okay. Um, >> what's that? >> I had my real ID. that had your real ID. Okay. What's your It's that group called number. >> It's It's one of the workers, but it's 414. >> Do you know that person's name? >> Yeah. >> Okay. Where's your group home at? >> 91st in Mill Road. >> 91st and Mill. >> Well, [snorts] my my things are at his house. >> Your things are What? What are your things? >> Like the things like my my belongings. >> Your belongings and everything. Okay. Do you remember where his house was? the thing that was on his ID. >> So, it is that it's on um I think it was like 27th Street. >> Oh, wait. No, it's >> No, it's on Silver Spring. >> Silver Spring. >> So, what she was saying? >> Yeah. >> Her house. >> Okay. So, they've been lying to us this entire time. >> Yeah. >> Okay. All right. Did you So, you >> I don't know nothing about the car, though. >> You don't? Okay. I don't care about the car at this point. Car is car is the car. I don't care. [snorts] All right. Um, [sighs] do you leave the group home like at the end of the month? >> No, I Well, I'm in and out. >> You're in and out? >> Like I'll leave go back, sleep for a couple nights. Okay. >> Leave again. Go back. But um I've been there for the ever since Saturday. >> Is there any reason? Did do you think the city you think the group home reported you missing on accident? >> Yeah, they No. Every time I awol, they're going to report me. It's just people don't know how to press clear when I come back. >> I on Friday. I left on Thursday. >> Okay. >> Didn't come back till Saturday cuz my worker called me and was like, "They're thinking about kicking you out." So I I she got me Uber home and I I've been at the group home since Saturday. So I don't know why I was still having person. >> After confirming the girl's identity, officers activate the missing person's recovery protocol, notifying the Milwaukee Police Department and the special victim's unit. Hampton is taken into custody and the vehicle is secured as evidence. The girl provides key information. She identifies a residence connected to Hampton where she claims to have been held for several days. Based on her statement, prosecutors obtain a search warrant and investigators recover personal belongings and digital material supporting her account. The evidence confirms it wasn't an isolated incident, but part of an active recruitment and transport network operating within the county. What began as a traffic violation now marks the beginning of a broader criminal investigation. >> So, well, we'll take care of the missing person stuff. Okay. Do you have do you have any open uh juvenile cases? Do you know about or you just >> are you just because you're awall you run away from home a lot they put you in a group home? >> No, I have had um um driving a operating the vehicle with orange consent. >> Okay. >> I've had awalls um with this thing. But a week before Christmas, I was arrested for battery and not battery domestic violence and criminal damage to property. And I was taken to county but couldn't got me out. >> Okay. >> And they said I had no followup court date. So I >> You don't have any warrants. So you're not wanted or The only reason you're wanted is because you're a juvenile and you're not where you're supposed to be. That's that's why they they reported you missing. >> But I got a warrant. >> No. No, you don't. Okay. Were you What time were you supposed to be back at the groom hoping today? >> 8. But >> 8:00 p.m. >> Yeah. When I left for school, I [snorts] didn't end up going to school. That's how I ended up meeting him. But I had went back. I don't know what time. I think around like 5:00. And I went in and grabbed some of my stuff cuz he told me to. And then I left and haven't been back. >> Okay. Where do you go to school? >> Yeah. >> Okay. How do you normally get there if >> they see the bus? >> Okay. >> Okay. Awesome. That's where I lost my phone at on the >> 961 or just property. >> Okay. And you lost your phone on the bus. And you said you lost your phone on the bus and it has your ID in it. >> Yeah, my actual ID. >> Okay. We might be able to we can contact transit to see if they somebody picked up your phone with your ID in it. All right. But like I said, there's a lot going on right now, so just bear with us. Um, somebody somebody who has a way higher pay grade than I do is probably going to want to talk to you about what happened tonight, okay? You're not in any trouble at all. I wanted that to be per make that perfectly clear with you, okay? You're not in any trouble at all. All right? So, I want you to be truthful and honest with us this entire time, okay? Cuz if they did stuff to you, okay, they need to be held responsible for what >> he did. He He did stuff to you, but but she was trying to get you to do stuff from what I understand. Right. >> Yeah. Like take pictures and post them on the site. >> Do you remember what site they were she was talking about or just said a site? >> No, she just said post them on a site. >> Okay. All right. [snorts] Okay. And there's no there's no way, shape, or form that you you told him that that you wanted to to perform oral on him. You did not. >> No, he just said, "Come on." And I was just like, "Okay." >> You didn't want to do it. He kind of forced you to it. >> I didn't want to do it. He didn't force me, but I didn't want to do it. I was I didn't know if I said no what he was going to do. >> Okay. >> Did he threaten you at all? No, I just >> You didn't know what he was going to do? >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> And I don't like the word no. So, I don't like telling other people no cuz I don't like being mean. >> Okay. I get it. You don't like sitting in the back of cop cars. Even if it's a warm place to stay. >> No. >> No. >> I'd rather be cold. >> You'd rather be cold. All right. >> I'm already scared. Bunch of y'all. >> Oh, >> and then y'all just This how you all parked. Well, it's because I ran the plane on the car and it came back to not a Volkswagen. It came back to a BMW. >> Did it come back stolen? >> No, it's not stolen. But so I saw, like I said, I saw you guys flying down 27th Street. But >> flying. It didn't feel like that. >> Yeah, he he came flying over by the domes. Mel Park domes. >> You You were all the way back there. >> Yeah, I saw you all the way back to you guys all the way back there and I got behind you and I tried running the plate and it wouldn't come back and it finally came back. She did say, "Wasn't somebody following us?" [snorts] >> So that's why that's why we we're the way that we are right now. Okay. So the plates just don't match the car. That's why this that's why I'm I made the stop. Okay. He smells smells like >> He knew he he knew he was going to jail. >> He knew he was going to jail. >> Yeah. He said I have He said he had a warrant. She did too. She said she had a warrant. >> This all the stuff that's not going to be allowed in the jail. >> Okay. Did anything anything happen in this vehicle at all? >> Yes. >> What kind of stuff? >> I gave him from >> Did he? >> No. >> Okay. >> That's why I stopped. >> I would. >> You're going to be transporting her? >> Transporting her >> to the jail. To the jail. >> Yep. Okay. So, we're going to do a little finagling right now. Um Yeah, cuz that's where we're at. So, you're going to take her to the jail with me, book her in on her warrant, and then if you want to hang tight with me while we deal with whatever else we're dealing with, we'll we'll do that. Okay. >> The criminal proceedings against Kenneth Ray Hampton Jr. concluded several months later under the jurisdiction of the Milwaukee County Court. Prosecutors filed four charges. caused to a child intercourse with a child, contributing to the of a child, and operating a motor vehicle while under the influence. After reviewing the evidence, the court determined that Hampton had interacted with the minor under circumstances that caused direct psychological harm while driving intoxicated at the time of his arrest. The defense accepted a plea agreement that reduced the number of charges in exchange for a guilty plea. The judge imposed two years of imprisonment and three years of extended supervision for cause to a child and 64 days in the House of Correction for the DUI offense. He was also ordered to enroll in the state's postrelease supervision program and participate in behavioral treatment and substance monitoring. The 17-year-old victim was placed under the care of Wisconsin Department of Children and Families where she received psychological and legal assistance. The case would be formally closed, but the final report highlighted its broader significance. A routine traffic stop which exposed a network and led to the identification of other potential victims. A stark reminder of how a single observant intervention can uncover what operates silently beneath the surface.