Backpage Raid Shines Light on Dallas Sex Trade Industry

The CEO of an adult classifieds website faces charges related to sex trafficking for ads posted on the site that offer sexual services.

Dallas police raided the offices of Backpage, a site that lets users post items to sell, list upcoming events, or post job openings.

However, it's the website's posts for adult escorts, body rubs, and other sexual services that have proven the most lucrative.

CEO Carl Ferrer was arrested on a warrant that alleges his company is making nearly all of its money from advertising illegal adult services.

Agencies in Dallas applaud the arrest. Advocates for sex trafficking victims hope it will shine a major light on the human trafficking and slavery that is happening in major cities.

"It's a $32 billion industry...and it's happening in your backyard," Tonya Safford said.

Safford, a native of Dallas, wasn't trafficked by a website. At 13 years old she was sold into sex slavery by her mother.

In Dallas alone, the sex trade is an estimated $99 million a year industry with an average of 400 trafficked teens on the street each night, according to It's Going To Be OK, Inc. Founded by Stafford, IGTBOK seeks to help people break free from human trafficking.

After escaping the sex trade, Safford decided to devote her time to helping others make the same escape.

Safford says this raid on Backpage.com may be small, but it's a great victory because it's another step in shutting the sex trade industry down.

Ferrer didn't fight extradition to California where he will face the initial charges against him, including pimping a minor, pimping, and conspiracy to commit pimping.