7 Accused Of Sex Trafficking In Washington County

WASHINGTON COUNTY, MN — Seven men are facing charges related to sex trafficking in Washington County, the Washington County Attorney's Office said in a news release.

The men were arrested and charged in Minnesota's 10th Judicial District Court as part of a proactive juvenile exploitation operation conducted by the East Metro Sex Trafficking Task Force, officials said. The task force has been working on this operation for seven years.

The force is made up of the Washington County Attorney’s Office, Washington County Sheriff’s Office, Woodbury Department of Public Safety, Oakdale Police Department and the US Department of Homeland Security Investigations, officials said.

The men facing charges are:

• Michael Joseph Fiedler, of Saint Paul: Electronic Communication with a Minor
• Jason Richard Weidner, of North Saint Paul: Underage Prostitution, 13-16
• German Iban Galicia, of Minneapolis: Electronic Communication with a Minor
• Antonio Diangelo Silva, of Saint Paul Park: Underage Prostitution, 13-16
• Naveen Todd Fitterer, of Lakeville: Underage Prostitution, 13-16
• Joshua Emanuel Hickerson, of Anoka: Underage Prostitution, 13-16
• Robert Charles Engvall, of Elk River: Underage Prostitution, 13-16

The operation used undercover officers posing as minors as bait and messaging the men, officials said.

“Our mission remains consistent that we continue to remain proactive in addressing sex trafficking in Minnesota," Washington County Sheriff Dan Starry said. "These operations are essential to decreasing the demand for commercial sex.”