One Arrested in Sidney Human Trafficking Task Force Operation

A Mitchell man was arrested Wednesday following an operation of the Panhandle Region Team of the Nebraska Human Trafficking Task Force.

James Raymond Hill, 52, was arrested for solicitation of prostitution after offering to pay for someone to perform a sexual act.

According to an arrest affidavit filed by a Nebraska State Patrol investigator, an undercover officer with the Human Trafficking Task Force communicated with Hill via text and phone conversations referencing a Craiglist ad posted by the undercover officer. Hill agreed to pay $50 and a fast food dinner for 30 minutes of an unspecified sexual act.

Officers provided Hill a location at a local hotel room. When he arrived at the location with the fast food bag and made contact with an undercover officer, Hill was taken into custody.

Hill has been charged with Solicitation, and Class I misdemeanor, punishable by up to one year in jail, a $1,000 fine, or probation.

The Task Force was assisted by the WING (Western Nebraska Intelligence and Narcotics Group) Task Force, the Sidney Police Department, Cheyenne County Sheriff's Office, Gering Police Department, Scottsbluff Police Department, the Nebraska Attorney General's Office, the Nebraska State Patrol, and several other entities. The Task Force also recognized CAPstone, the Salvation Army, and DOVES for their assistance.