ICE HSI Boston special agent leads presentation at large anti-human trafficking networking, education event in western Massachusetts

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Boston Special Agent Michael Morizio was the featured presenter at a well-attended Feb. 5, anti-human trafficking professionals networking and education event hosted by the western Massachusetts division of the Office of the Massachusetts State Attorney General, which focused on effective practices in the identification and combating of human trafficking in Springfield, Massachusetts.

A wide cross-section of more than 100 professionals whose work focuses on different aspects in the fight against the disturbing trend of human trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation in the region gathered for the event, which featured a comprehensive panel discussion moderated by the Chief of the Western Massachusetts Division of the Office of Massachusetts State Attorney General, with Morizio highlighted as a lead presenter for the event.

Morizio’s widely-respected expertise on the subject in the region lead the Office of Massachusetts State Attorney General to invite the HSI Springfield Special Agent as a lead presenter at the event, which featured a wide range of professionals made up of local, state and federal law enforcement, health providers and community representatives who actively work to combat human trafficking and the commercial sexual exploitation of adults and children in the region.

Morizio shared his insights and best practices that have helped him and his HSI Springfield partners distinguish themselves as among the leaders in the region in the fight against human trafficking. Especially well-received were Morizio’s recounting of insights and analysis of several recent human trafficking-combating operations conducted by HSI Springfield and their partners on the U.S. Attorney’s Office Western Massachusetts Human Trafficking Working Group that successfully helped identify and dismantle a sex trafficking syndicate operating in Connecticut and Massachusetts.

In addition to Morizio representing HSI, the gathering included law enforcement, healthcare/medical, non-governmental organization professionals and community representatives from the U.S. Attorney for the District of Massachusetts, the Massachusetts State Police’s Human Trafficking Division, Office of Massachusetts Attorney General, the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families, the Hampden County District Attorney’s Office, Hampden County Sheriff’s Department Western Mass Businesses Against Human Trafficking, Mercy Medical Center, Bay State Family Advocacy Center among other organizations.