The FBI is offering $5,000 for information leading to the capture of a child sex trafficking suspect. | Manuel/Flickr
The FBI is offering $5,000 for information leading to the capture of a child sex trafficking suspect. | Manuel/Flickr
The FBI is offering a $5,000 reward for help in capturing a Milwaukee man suspected of involvement in child sex trafficking.
James Hurley, the special agent in charge of the FBI Milwaukee Field Office, announced Dec. 23 there is a $5,000 reward for assistance in arresting Milwaukee resident Adrian Cortez Edwards.
Leonard Peace, a public affairs officer for the FBI Milwaukee Division, said Edwards’ whereabouts are unknown. He said some of the case information needed to remain confidential.
“I cannot discuss operational specifics on a pending case, such as how we became aware of our subject Adrian Cortez Edwards,” Peace said.
He added, however, that people should exercise caution if they think they see him.
“Adrian C. Edwards is considered armed and dangerous. He should not be approached,” Peace told The Sconi. “If located, citizens should call 911 or call the FBI with tips at 414-276-4684. We are offering a $5,000 reward for information that leads to his arrest.”
The FBI notes that he was born in 1983, is 6 feet tall, weighs 185 pounds, has brown eyes, black hair and bears a distinctive tattoo on his neck, a large Wisconsin “W.”
Edwards is also known as Michael Edwards, Michael C. Edwards, Michael Phillips, Michael C. Phillips, Adrian C. Tippy and Adrian Cortez Tippy, according to a Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office release.
According to the National Human Trafficking Hotline, there have been 701 cases of human trafficking in Wisconsin since 2007.
In these cases, 762 individuals were identified has having a high likelihood of being human trafficking victims and 708 individuals were identified who had a moderate likelihood of being human trafficking victims. In 2019, 94 cases of trafficking were reported.
According to the Justice Department website, the U.S. federal government awarded $101 million in 2020 to combat human trafficking.
On Dec. 3, the Biden administration announced an updated National Action Plan to Combat Human Trafficking.
“The plan draws on survivor voices and recommendations over the years on how to prevent human trafficking and provide the appropriate resources to protect and respond to the needs of individuals who have experienced human trafficking,” according to a release from the White House.
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