A United Democratic Alliance (UDA) politician has been apprehended by the United States law enforcers during a human trafficking operation.
The Kenyan man, Abdullahi Yussuf Sheikh Nur vied for a parliamentary seat under Kenya’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party in 2022.
He is among twelve men arrested in a human trafficking sting operation in Eden Prairie, Minnesota.
According to the police, the 46-year-old was arrested after attempting to arrange a sex meet-up with a person he believed was a 17-year-old girl, who turned out to be an undercover officer.
According to court documents, Nur continued communication even after being told the girl was underage, and was arrested at a golf course with $250 in cash and a mobile phone.
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How the UDA Politician was Caught and Arrested
According to the Eden Prairie Police Department, the operation was part of a bigger effort to fight trafficking and child exploitation along the Interstate 494 corridor.
On Friday, June 27, police revealed that the men arrested range in age from 24 to 46 and come from different parts of the Twin Cities area.
Court documents show that Nur contacted the undercover officer through an online advert.
Even after the officer said she was 17, Nur continued to communicate and set up a meeting.
The UDA politician is one of nine men so far who have been charged with prostitution of a minor.
Others charged include Thai Lor, Ross Orren Nordean, Roberto Carlos Geronimo, Angel David Agustin, Jose Isaias Perdomo Elias, Mohammad Reza Pourmand, Said Rahman Amanzai, and Eduardo Solis-Perez.
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Other Men Arrested with the Same Charges
In addition, the court documents reported that each case followed a similar pattern. Officers posted a fake online ad offering sexual services.
When someone responded, the undercover officer made it clear she was underage. Despite this, the men went ahead to arrange meet-ups and were arrested on arrival.
One of the suspects, Ross Nordean, acknowledged several times that it was illegal to meet a 17-year-old.
When police approached him at the meeting spot, he tried to drive away but crashed into a tree. He had $940 in cash and a cellphone.
Another suspect, Roberto Geronimo, was asked by the undercover officer if he was “okay with young.” He said yes, and was told to bring Sour Patch Kids candy as a birthday present.
When arrested, officers found the candy, $6, and a phone.
Some of the men brought condoms and drugs to the meet-up sites. Eduardo Solis-Perez, for example, had cocaine, methamphetamine, and two phones.
He didn’t stop at the meeting point but circled around and later tried to flee from police. Officers had to stop him using a special driving maneuver.
Since 2016, Eden Prairie police have carried out 38 similar stings, leading to over 400 arrests. They’ve also helped 117 victims of trafficking find support and assistance.
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