‘Human trafficking superhighway’ The locations, routes and individuals fueling pimp-controlled prostitution in Wyoming

The Interstate 90 Exit 20 ramp to Sheridan’s North Main Street and Decker Road is pictured Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025.
CLINT WOOD | THE SHERIDAN PRESS

SHERIDAN — In 2021, Sweetwater Against Trafficking partnered with Uprising, a statewide anti-human trafficking group based in Sheridan, to conduct a live sting operation to target human trafficking buyers. The operation was simple: deputies with the Sweetwater County Sheriff’s Office set up fake accounts posing as prostitutes and let the buyers come to them.

Staff were met with an “overwhelming” amount of people in just Sweetwater County who wanted to purchase sex, said Lt. Derek Morrell with the Sweetwater County Sheriff’s Office.