Interview with DDA Darcy Cameron on Sex Trafficking Prosecution in Reno

Sex trafficking is often thought of as a distant issue—something that happens elsewhere, to other people. Yet in Reno, cases of human exploitation are being uncovered at an alarming rate. Behind each statistic is a life marked by manipulation, fear, and survival - see my story on a survivor’s journey through this in Reno.

To better understand what happens once traffickers are identified, arrested, and brought into the justice system, I spoke with Deputy District Attorney Darcy Cameron. As Reno’s designated sexual assault and sex trafficking prosecutor, Cameron has seen firsthand the ways traffickers exploit vulnerabilities and the immense challenges victims face when seeking justice.

In our conversation, she sheds light on the realities of online investigations, the obstacles prosecutors face when victims are too fearful to testify, and the lasting trauma survivors must overcome. Her insights not only reveal the complexity of building these cases but also underscore the urgency of community awareness and support.

Interview with DDA Darcy Cameron on Sex Trafficking Prosecution in Reno

Nicole Fernandez (NF): Thank you for meeting with me. I wanted to start by asking about online investigations. A lot of my interest is in how traffickers are identified through online personas. How do investigators form those profiles, and what goes into that process?

Darcy Cameron (DC): That falls primarily on the law enforcement side. They create undercover online profiles that mirror actual victims. What I’ve seen is that detectives often base those profiles on real cases—looking at the social media of recovered victims and modeling from there. The idea is to reflect the kinds of vulnerable individuals traffickers tend to target. They maintain a variety of profiles across different demographics, so it isn’t just one type.

NF: Once law enforcement makes arrests, what role does the DA’s office play?

DC: After law enforcement completes its investigation and an arrest is made, the case comes to my office. That’s when prosecution begins.

NF: What challenges do you face when prosecuting sex trafficking cases?

DC: The biggest hurdle is victim cooperation. Traffickers isolate and manipulate their victims. They often select people who have criminal records, addictions, or other vulnerabilities, making them fearful of law enforcement. Traffickers convince victims that if they go to the police, they’ll be arrested or exposed. So, I generally assume from the start that a victim won’t cooperate. I work closely with the Human Trafficking Unit to build cases that don’t rely on victim testimony. If we do get cooperation, it makes things easier, but we can’t count on it.

NF: What happens if a victim refuses to appear in court?

DC: If they won’t testify, we try to proceed without them. In rare cases, I’ve had to issue warrants to compel them to appear. That’s always a last resort, but in those instances, victims often later thank me. Once they testify, many find it cathartic to tell their story and see justice done.

NF: How do you ensure victims’ safety once traffickers are arrested?

DC: The first step is keeping traffickers in custody by requesting bail outside their means. We also have advocates who maintain contact with victims if they want support. Additionally, our office has investigators who monitor jail calls, emails, and video chats to ensure traffickers aren’t attempting to intimidate victims or plan retaliation.

NF: How long have you been working on these cases?

DC: I’ve been with the office 15 years. In 2018, I became the designated sexual assault prosecutor. In 2020, when the Human Exploitation and Trafficking (HEAT) unit was formed, I also took on sex trafficking prosecutions.

NF: Has the creation of the HEAT unit made an impact?

DC: Absolutely. Before it was formed, we might get one or two trafficking cases a year. Now, I handle 30–50 annually. That increase shows law enforcement is actively investigating and identifying cases, which wasn’t happening before.

NF: Can you share a case that stands out to you?

DC: One recent trial involved two victims under extreme control and violence for years. Initially, they were angry at me and reluctant to testify. Through extensive investigation—including countless search warrants—we built a strong case. At trial, they testified, and afterward both expressed gratitude. One is even planning to attend sentencing. That case reinforced for me how important this work is, even when victims can’t see it at first.

NF: What challenges do survivors face in recovery?

DC: It varies. Some have family support, which helps tremendously. Others have no safety net and struggle to find housing or employment. We work with organizations like Awaken, which provide trauma recovery and life skills. I’ve seen victims rebuild—one young woman completed a trafficking recovery program, has been sober two years, and is thriving. But others continue to struggle, especially without strong support systems.

NF: From what you’ve seen, what vulnerabilities traffickers exploit most often?

DC: Every case is different, but the common thread is vulnerability. Some victims are manipulated through drug addiction, others through prior sexual abuse, mental health struggles, or lack of love and belonging. Traffickers often offer housing or support, then create debt or obligations that lead to control.

NF: How young are the victims you see?

DC: The youngest I’ve prosecuted was 14. The national average age of entry into commercial sex is 12–13. Most adults I see in cases started in sex work as children, even if I encounter them later as adults.

NF: What do you wish the public better understood about sex trafficking?

DC: The biggest misconception is that sex work is consensual. Pop culture—movies like Pretty Woman—romanticize it. The reality is that nearly all people in prostitution are there because they have no other option. Consent doesn’t exist without choice. During trials, detectives often educate jurors about manipulation tactics, like why victims may believe their traffickers are their boyfriends. It’s important the public understands this isn’t glamorous—it’s exploitation.

NF: How do juries and judges respond differently?

DC: With juries, I can ask questions beforehand to gauge their views on prostitution. That helps me weed out people with biases. Judges, however, I don’t get to choose. Some understand trafficking dynamics, others don’t, which makes sentencing harder.

NF: What’s been the most frustrating sentencing outcome?

DC: One case involved a violent trafficker, Haywood Wilson. Despite his history, a judge gave him probation. Within weeks, he strangled his wife and was re-arrested. He’s now in prison, but that initial sentence was devastating and put others at risk.

NF: Do traffickers often maintain other relationships outside of trafficking?

DC: Rarely. If someone is actively trafficking, I haven’t seen them maintain healthy, unrelated relationships. Their lives are usually centered around control and exploitation.

NF: How do victims typically escape the cycle long-term?

DC: Breaking free is difficult. Literature suggests it takes seven positive law enforcement contacts to help someone exit. Some return to different traffickers, but with the right resources and timing, many do get out. Once prosecution begins, I haven’t seen victims physically harmed by their traffickers again, though emotional manipulation can continue through jail calls.

NF: What are some of the “rules of the game” traffickers impose?

DC: One is called “reckless eyeballing,” where victims aren’t allowed to make eye contact with other men. If they do, that man is considered to “own” them, and the trafficker has to pay a “choose-up fee.” Quotas are another—victims must bring back a set amount of money each night, or face violence or homelessness. Some ads even include “no AA,” meaning the victim can’t see African American men, which indicates they have a pimp. These rules reinforce that victims are treated as property.

NF: Hearing all of this is heartbreaking, but extremely enlightening. Thank you for sharing so openly, it really makes a difference for us to see how this all works from a judicial point of view.

DC: It’s difficult work, but also the most rewarding. At the end of the day, I know the effort makes a difference. And if you ever want to see the process firsthand, criminal cases are open to the public.

For a in-depth study on the sex trafficking scene in Reno, read my article Hidden in Plain Sight: Sex Trafficking in Reno.