Attorney General Hanaway Announces Statewide Council Against Adult Trafficking and the Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - Today, Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway announces the establishment of the Statewide Council Against Adult Trafficking and the Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children within the Office of the Attorney General. This council, formed in accordance with Section 210.1505, Revised Statutes of Missouri, and as outlined in House Bill 2273 (2026), brings together representatives from key state agencies, legislative leaders, judicial partners, and statewide organizations to support a unified, collaborative structure for Missouri.

"The establishment of this council represents a significant step forward for Missouri," said General Hanaway. "When agencies, advocates, and public safety partners unite with a common goal, we strengthen our ability to protect vulnerable Missourians and support those working to combat human trafficking on the front lines."

The Statewide Council Against Adult Trafficking and the Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children brings together Missouri's leading agencies, advocacy partners, and public safety experts to create a unified front against human trafficking. By centralizing coordination through the Office of the Attorney General, the council strengthens statewide efforts and allows agencies to share information.

The following individuals have been appointed to serve on the Council Against Adult Trafficking and the Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children:

• Assistant Attorney General Jeff Suddy, appointed by General Hanaway to serve as Interim Executive Director of the Council;
• Representative Ed Lewis, as designee from the Speaker of the House of Representatives;
• Representative Tiffany Price, as designee from the Minority Floor Leader of the House of Representatives;
• Senator Jill Carter, as designee from the President Pro Tempore of the Senate;
• Senator Karla May, as designee from the Minority Floor Leader of the Senate;
• Diana Haines, Director of Anti-Trafficking Operations, Missouri Attorney General's Office;
• Jordan Roling, Deputy General Counsel, Office of Governor Mike Kehoe;
• Judge Mary F. Weir, Associate Circuit Judge, 16th Judicial Circuit of Missouri;
• Missouri State Highway Patrol Captain Donnie Crump, Department of Public Safety;
• Jeanette Simmons, PsyD, Deputy Director, Department of Mental Health;
• Meaghan Forck, Chief Counsel, Department of Elementary and Secondary Education;
• Rachel Davis, Sex Trafficking Prevention Unit Program Coordinator, Missouri Department of Social Services Children's Division;
• Catherine Vannier, Special Victims Resource Prosecutor, Missouri Office of Prosecution Services;
• Jessica Seitz, Executive Director, Missouri Network Against Child Abuse;
• Nora Mosby, Member Services Specialist, Missouri Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence;
• Jeff Barlow, Executive Director, Missouri Juvenile Justice Association;
• Lynn Rasnick, Vice President of Clinical and Regulatory Affairs, Missouri Hospital Association;
• Shannon Pugliese, Deputy Director, Missouri Police Chiefs Association; and
• Wright County Sheriff BJ Adler, Missouri Sheriff's Association.

This shared approach enables Missouri to highlight the warning signs of trafficking, expand community involvement, and improve early identification of vulnerable populations who may be at risk. The council will hold its first meeting within the next 30 days, and the Attorney General's Office will post public notice as soon as the date is set.

The council will also sponsor and guide specialized training across multiple professions. A dedicated training committee will oversee standards and develop digital training tools for juvenile officers, law enforcement personnel, medical professionals, victim-services providers, and others who regularly encounter trafficking victims.

As part of this initiative, the following individuals have been appointed to the Committee on Sex and Human Trafficking Training:

• Diana Haines, Director of Anti-Trafficking Operations, Missouri Attorney General's Office;
• Missouri State Highway Patrol Captain Donnie Crump, Department of Public Safety;
• Matthew Lindemeyer, Chief, State Technical Assistance Team
• Elizabeth Pierson, Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children Program Specialist, Missouri Network Against Child Abuse;
• Catherine Vannier, Special Victims Resource Prosecutor, Missouri Office of Prosecution Services;
• Jill Kliethermes, MSN, RN, FNP-BC, Executive Director, Missouri Nurses Association; and
• Lana Garcia, RN, BSN, CEN, SANE-A, Forensic Program Coordinator, CoxHealth, as designee from the Missouri Emergency Nurses State Council.