The Spring Provides Witness in Groundbreaking Trafficking Trial
It’s a huge milestone in our state’s efforts to hold traffickers accountable.
Oklahoma City – A man who was convicted last week of operating a Chinese human trafficking ring in Oklahoma City is facing 30 years in prison, and The Spring got to play a small role in justice being served.
Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond’s Organized Crime Task Force prosecuted Baosheng Lin after an Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics (OBN) investigation revealed he was trafficking Asian females at a south Oklahoma City residence. The victims flew in and out of OKC Will Rogers International Airport.
An Oklahoma County jury found Lin guilty on Nov. 6 and recommended a 30-year prison sentence. The case is the state’s first to include a certified human trafficking expert witness, provided in this case by The Spring’s CEO, Leslie Clingenpeel. It was also the first evidence-based human trafficking case to result in a conviction by a jury.
“I’m very thankful for the courage of the prosecuting team to lead the way and blaze trails for our movement,” Clingenpeel said. “It’s a true example of us being better together and championing innovation.”
Attorney General Drummond pointed to a collaborative effort between law enforcement and victim advocacy services.
“I appreciate the work of my Organized Crime Task Force to put a stop to this Chinese human trafficking ring and to hold this perpetrator accountable,” Drummond said. “We appreciate our law enforcement partners at the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and our expert witness from The Spring human trafficking shelter for their help in bringing this case to justice.”
OBN Director Donnie Anderson said he appreciated the collaboration of everyone involved.
“OBN is grateful for the outstanding case presented by prosecutors from the Attorney General’s Office, as well as the tremendous testimony provided by a Certified Human Trafficking Expert Witness from The Spring, which is one of Oklahoma’s five certified service providers for victims of abuse and trafficking.”
Sentencing is set for Dec. 18.
If you or someone you know needs help escaping domestic and sexual violence, human trafficking, or stalking, please dial 911 or call our 24/7 hotline at 918-245-4075. You can also consider joining the fight against abuse in Oklahoma by donating or exploring volunteer opportunities.