U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agents Share Best Practices in Investigating Trafficking in Persons Cases with Lithuanian Police

On May 19-20, three top U.S. law enforcement officials – ICE/HSI agents David Adkins and David Riccio, and Victim Assistance Specialist Ruby Chacon – shared U.S. best practices in investigating trafficking in persons (TIP) cases with Lithuanian police investigators, prosecutors, and NGOs. 
In partnership with the Lithuanian Police, EUROPOL and NGO Missing Persons’ Families Support Center, U.S. officials shared through case studies some of the most prominent TIP cases in the United States.  In highlighting the complexities and unique nature of TIP cases, the U.S. officials stressed the importance of adopting a victim-centered approach for a successful investigation and conviction.  The ICE/HSI agents also emphasized the need for greater international cooperation and partnerships in investigating TIP cases effectively and quickly.  The Victims Assistance expert shared with Lithuanian officials how stabilizing victims – addressing all their immediate needs – was essential in order to encourage their cooperation in investigating and prosecuting traffickers.
Mr. David Adkins is the Attaché to the Netherlands and Europol for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the second largest federal law enforcement investigative agency in the United States.  Mr. Adkins’s responsibilities include management of enforcement operations related to child exploitation, counter-proliferation, intellectual property rights enforcement, human rights violations, human smuggling/trafficking, narcotics trafficking, money laundering, and other transnational criminal enterprises. 

Special Agent David Riccio is an Assistant Attaché assigned to the Homeland Security Investigations (HIS) Regional Attaché office located at the United States Consulate in Frankfurt, Germany.  HSI Frankfurt covers 14 countries, including Scandinavia, the Baltics, and Poland.  In this capacity, he supports HSI Domestic Operations in all HSI investigative areas with emphasis on Visa Security, Human Smuggling and Trafficking, and Illicit Travel.  Special Agent Riccio began his law enforcement career in 1988 with the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) as a Special Agent.  In Baltimore, Agent Riccio successfully investigated a human trafficking case that resulted in nearly $100,000 in restitution being paid to victims in the United States and Estonia. 

 Ruby Chacon is a Victim Assistance Specialist with Homeland Security Investigations assigned to work with human smuggling/ human trafficking groups in San Diego, CA.  Ms. Chacon has over 13 years of victim services experience working as the Victim Services Coordinator for the local and state police municipalities in Delaware.  Through her experience, she has gained the knowledge and skills to care for and ensure that all crime victims are advised of their rights, have access to information, are treated in a just and fair manner and that their dignity and privacy are respected.