Kansas cop joins ‘To Catch a Predator’ host Chris Hansen in Florida human trafficking operation

MARYSVILLE (KSNT) – A Marysville police officer got to learn from the best during a recent multi-agency law enforcement operation in Florida.

27 News spoke with Lieutenant Anthony Escalante with the Marysville Police Department about his recent journey to Polk County, Florida. There, he participated in the National Public Safety Innovation Academy where he got first-hand experience seeing the latest law enforcement strategies put into action.

“Oftentimes, we’re a little behind the curve on what’s available nationwide,” Escalante said. “It was a great opportunity for us to go down and see what all is available for tactics and techniques.”

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The academy gave Escalante the chance to use high-tech drones and work with experts showcasing cutting-edge new techniques being employed by police. He was able to attend the course with help from a grant to cover the $3,500 tuition cost.

A big highlight of his trip to Florida came when he was able to meet the former host of NBC’s “Dateline” hidden camera “To Catch A Predator” series, Chris Hansen.

“That was an incredible experience,” Escalante said. “Not just meeting Chris Hansen, but Sheriff Grady Judd in Polk County.”

Hansen, with his long experience in investigating predators, was on hand due to the nature of a human trafficking/child exploitation operation being held in Polk County during the academy. Escalante says the operation resulted in nearly 230 arrests in eight days with 13 victims of human trafficking identified.

“He [Chris Hansen] was incredibly gracious and friendly and kind with each of us to discuss things he had learned through the ‘To Catch A Predator’ series,” Escalante said.

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Escalante didn’t get to participate in the operation directly as he was there to take notes and observe. However, he was able to participate in an interview with a human trafficking victim afterwards.

“We were there to learn the way they plan and execute an operation like that so we can bring that information back to our home states,” Escalante said.

Working with Hansen is something Escalante won’t be forgetting anytime soon. He says he enjoyed being able to meet him and hear from someone who was a wealth of experience in this field.

“It was wonderful,” Escalante said. “I haven’t met a lot of celebrities. I’m typically very cautious making judgement on people based on their TV personalities but he was very gracious. I appreciate his willingness to share his experience; he has a number of years doing this type of thing.”

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Witnessing the operation’s execution and seeing law enforcement not only make arrests, but also take care of crime victims, made Escalante proud of the work being done in Florida. He says he will take the lessons he learned from the operation and put them to use in Marysville in efforts to combat human trafficking.

“Depending on what statistics you hear, I’ve heard as many as one in seven human trafficking victims, in some way shape or form, come through Kansas,” Escalante said.

Hansen continues to create content similar to the “To Catch A Predator” series and has a channel on YouTube you can follow. To learn more about the National Public Safety Innovation Academy, click here.

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