Human Trafficking & Exploitation Symposium

Bobby Bassett and K9 Zero

Detective Bobby Bassett serves with the Grantsville City Police Department and is assigned to the Utah Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force. He specializes in investigating technology-facilitated crimes against children, providing enforcement, training, and support to safeguard the community.

K9 Zero, a two-year-old Yellow Labrador, is trained in Electronic Storage Detection (ESD), victim support, and officer wellness. He was trained by Jordan Detection K9, a nationally recognized leader in ESD training, and was generously sponsored by OUR Rescue, a nonprofit organization dedicated to combating child exploitation and human trafficking through rescue efforts, aftercare support, and partnerships with law enforcement.

Zero is one of only a small number of ESD canines in Utah. His advanced detection abilities allow him to locate electronic devices — even when powered off or expertly hidden — including cell phones, SIM cards, USB drives, SD cards, hard drives, hidden cameras, GPS trackers, AirTags, and other covert storage or surveillance devices.

Together, Detective Bassett and K9 Zero provide a unique investigative resource for the Grantsville City Police Department and the Utah ICAC Task Force, combining experience and specialized canine skills to recover critical evidence and protect children from exploitation.

Sarah Chau

Sarah Chau is the Outreach and Education Coordinator with the Human Trafficking Support (HTS) Program at the Asian Association of Utah. In this role, Sarah oversees the operations of HTS’s weekly drop-in center, the program’s statewide outreach efforts, and the Outreach and Education programming within HTS. She organizes and leads HTS’s human trafficking education and awareness initiatives by presenting on human trafficking, its prevalence in Utah, and best practices for supporting survivors.

Sarah also serves as one of the co-chairs for the Utah Trafficking in Persons Task Force’s Education and Training Working Group, where she collaborates with community partners to strengthen statewide education, training, and awareness efforts. She has been with the Asian Association of Utah since June 2022, beginning as a case manager working directly with survivors of sex trafficking.

Nathan Jezereal Christensen

Nathan Jezereal Christensen is a Sexual Violence Victim Advocate and Outreach Coordinator at the YCC Family Crisis Center in Ogden, Utah. A native of Grantsville, Utah, Nathan grew up witnessing the benefits and social issues associated with life in isolated, rural communities. It was there that he first became interested in how access to health care, education and social resources affect community well-being. Nathan further deepened this fascination by obtaining a B.S. in Sociology and Public Administration from Weber State University, where he graduated Summa Cum Laude. His senior thesis was written on his original research examining the intersection of rurality, religion and sexual assault. Currently spending time in courts, health centers, and community programs advocating for the rights and safety of victims of sexual assault, Nathan has completed applications for law schools across the country, and now plans to begin his J.D. program in the Fall of 2026.

LuAnn Cooper

Born and raised in a polygamous family. Lu Ann Cooper was married to her then 23 year old first cousin/Nephew at the age of 15 as his 4th wife. She was taught her whole life that was the only way into the celestial kingdom. About 17 years after she fled the polygamy group with her two daughters at age 20 Lu Ann started a nonprofit called Hope After Polygamy in 2017. Lu Ann is driven through her passion for supporting and advocating for others like herself that have chosen to leave polygamy and want a different life for themselves by helping them get an education and becoming contributing citizens in their new community.

Scott Cougill

Scott Cougill leads the Asian Association of Utah (AAU) as only their second Executive Director in their 48-year history. AAU began assisting Asian refugees after the Vietnam War. Now, it engages, equips, and empowers victims of human trafficking, refugees, and refugee youth from all countries to improve, become self-sufficient, and thrive.

Scott brings 35+ years of senior leadership in both non-profit and for-profit organizations specializing in strategic planning, leadership development, entrepreneurial coaching, organizational design, operational excellence, process alignment, managing growth, and client relations.

Scott oversees all of AAU’s social services work including their human trafficking victim services, education, and outreach. He serves as one of the Core Members of the Utah Trafficking in Persons (UTIP) Task Force and on the Advisory & Implementation Council of the national Human Trafficking Collective.

Prior to AAU, Scott’s recent non-profit leadership includes eight years with Youth for Christ International where he was based out of Chiang Mai, Thailand, serving as YFC International’s World Leadership Team Director for Asia Pacific directing and empowering the indigenous YFC member national programs (25+) across Asia and the Pacific in their work with youth.

His recent for-profit leadership includes time as a Vice President at Rocket Mortgage and as the CEO of Portable Church Industries in Detroit, Michigan.

Mateo Gobilard Diaz

Mateo Gobilard serves as the Division Director of Youth Services at Volunteers of America, Utah, where he oversees the Youth Resource Center, Youth Housing, and Prevention Programs. In this role, he leads teams dedicated to providing housing, safety, and developmental support to youth experiencing homelessness and instability across Salt Lake County.

With a background in youth services, substance use prevention, and trauma-informed care, Mateo has advanced initiatives that address the root causes of youth homelessness and substance use. His leadership emphasizes collaboration across community systems, integrating housing, education, and behavioral health supports, to help young people build resilience and long-term stability.

Mateo holds a Master’s degree in Organizational Leadership from Arizona State University and is passionate about creating equitable pathways for youth to thrive, grounded in safety, connection, and dignity.

Elizabeth Green

Elizabeth is an anthropology major at Weber State University and published author of the anthology Seven Years of Silence. She is an advocate for women’s rights and continues to raise awareness for victims of abuse.

Paul Hagedorn

Paul Hagedorn is a Senior Special Agent with the United States Secret Service (USSS), currently assigned to the Salt Lake City Resident Office. Paul is a graduate of Weber State University Criminal Justice - Forensic Science program (1998) and began his career with the USSS in 2002. His assignments have included: fulltime instructor at the USSS training facility teaching new recruits, firearms instructor, recruitment specialist, and protective driving operations.

Paul is a part of the USSS Electronic Crimes Special Agent Program tasked with conducting digital forensics and analysis. In partnership with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) digital forensic lab and the Utah Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC), he assists federal, state and local law enforcement agencies in serving search warrants, previewing and collecting digital evidence for seizure, conducting computer and cellphone forensic exams, and using advanced digital forensic methods to obtain digital evidence. He also serves as a USSS Ambassador for the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) providing public education to students and adults regarding internet safety and operation safe kids.

Camille Hill

Camille volunteers at a nonprofit called Hope After Polygamy with the desire to help others who have left polygamy and to create their own Freedom and a life they love.

Rachel McConnell

Rachel McConnell is a Forensic Interview Specialist assigned to Homeland Security Investigations, Salt Lake City. As a FIS for HSI, she conducts forensic interviews both domestically and internationally. While Ms. McConnell conducts forensic interviews for all victims of crime, her focus with HSI is child exploitation, internet crimes against children, human trafficking and other federal crimes involving victims of all ages. She has been working in the field of child abuse and child exploitation since 2006.

During the course of her career, she has conducted more than 5000 forensic interviews. She has testified as both a factual and an expert witness in the field of child sexual abuse and child exploitation across the State of Texas and has presented on Forensic Interviewing, child sexual abuse, child exploitation and human trafficking domestically and internationally.

Ms. McConnell earned a MSW from the University of Texas at Arlington and a BA in Criminal Justice with from Stephen F Austin State University.

Michelle Michaels

Michelle Michaels is the Sexual Assault Program Supervisor and Human Trafficking Specialist at YCC Family Crisis Center. She brings a strong educational foundation to her work with a Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice from Weber State University. However, her true dedication is fueled by her lived experience as a survivor of human trafficking.

As a passionate advocate, Michelle uses her voice and expertise to champion for people who have been abused, helping them find a path to healing and justice. Her work is guided by a survivor-centered approach, rooted in the understanding that each person is an expert on their own life and deserves to have their voice heard after it has been silenced. Michelle is dedicated to creating a safe space for survivors, empowering them to see they are not broken, that they deserve to be seen, valued, safe, and heard.

Anthony Paco

Anthony Paco Bernaola is the Program Coordinator and Survivor Leader for the Human Trafficking Support (HTS) Program at the Asian Association of Utah (AAU). In this role, he leads a team of case managers, offers support on grant compliance and program development. Anthony is committed to applying trauma-informed, victim-centered approaches to support survivors and to advancing anti-trafficking efforts, with a focus on labor trafficking survivors and often-overlooked male survivors.

In addition to his work at AAU, Anthony serves on the Survivor Advisory Board for the U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants, is a Harriet Tubman Fellow by the Human Trafficking Legal Center (2024-2026), and a consultant for Framework by the IRC. Drawing on both personal experience and professional expertise, he consults on direct services to enhance survivor support systems. Anthony is passionate about creating sustainable solutions that empower survivors, improve service delivery, and promote long-term healing and self-sufficiency.

January Riggin-Degraw

January Riggin-Degraw is the Founder and Executive Director of Soap2Hope, a nonprofit organization based in Salt Lake City, Utah, dedicated to harm reduction, crisis intervention, and peer-led support services. As a survivor and a person in long-term recovery, January’s work is deeply rooted in her own lived experience of overcoming exploitation, grief, addiction, the criminal justice system, and the darkness of her past.

January is a published author of Lost in Silence, a self-published memoir that shares her journey through trauma and healing. Beyond her nonprofit work, she serves as Chief of Staff for several companies, helping her teams achieve high-level outcomes and execute ambitious goals.

A passionate advocate, January is committed to breaking stigma, meeting people where they are, and creating survivor- and peer-led programs that empower others to find safety, stability, and hope. She has achieved significant personal milestones, including expunging her criminal record, pursuing education as a substance abuse counselor, purchasing a home to build stability, and creating a life centered on love and healing.

January is also a proud mother, grandmother, wife, and mentor in her community. She continues to use her voice to stand for those who have been silenced, working to address vulnerabilities that are often targeted and to create real, lasting change.

Andrea Sherman

Andrea Sherman (she/her) is the Director of Human Trafficking Support Services at the Asian Association of Utah, where she leads statewide efforts to enhance the quality and availability of services for survivors, and foster safer, more informed communities. Andrea holds a master’s degree in Education, Culture, and Society from the University of Utah, a bachelor’s degree in Biopsychology and Cognitive Science from the University of Michigan and is a licensed Social Service Worker (SSW).

With more than 17 years of experience working with victims of trauma, Andrea has developed deep expertise in supporting individuals affected by human trafficking, domestic violence, and displacement. She serves on the executive boards of both the Utah Trafficking in Persons Task Force and the Utah Domestic Violence Coalition, and is an active member of multiple state and local coalitions.

Andrea is trained extensively in trauma-informed care, victim-centered practices, and DEIA principles. Fluent in Spanish, she is committed to building inclusive, survivor-focused programs. She also brings over 15 years of experience in training, facilitation, curriculum development, grant writing, and strategic partnership building, making her a trusted leader in Utah’s anti-trafficking and victim services field.

Ryan Staats

Ryan Staats began his law enforcement career after graduating from the WSU Law Enforcement Academy in 2014 and went on to earn a B.S. in Criminal Justice from Weber State University (2022) and an M.S. with a Graduate Certificate in Digital Forensics from the University of New Haven (2023). He has served in patrol, corrections, courts, and investigations, handling cases ranging from white-collar and property crimes to Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC).

Currently with the Box Elder County Attorney’s Office Investigations Division, Ryan helped re-establish ICAC efforts in the county in 2021 after a decade-long gap, leading to multi-agency collaboration. He also created the county’s Digital Forensics Lab for cell phone extractions and provides internet safety education to students and parents throughout the community.

Bryce Weir

Lieutenant Bryce Weir has served in law enforcement since 2002, with the majority of his career focused on investigative work. He currently serves in the Investigations Division of the Salt Lake County District Attorney’s Office. Prior to this role, Bryce worked with the Roy City Police Department (Weber County) and the Syracuse City Police Department (Davis County). His assignments have included:

• Patrol Officer, Detective, Sergeant
• Supervisor for the SWAT Negotiations Team
• Weber County Homicide and OICI Task Force
• Davis County OICI Protocol Team
• Davis County Child Abduction Response Team

For over a decade, Bryce has specialized in child exploitation investigations. He has worked with the Utah Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and continues to serve as a federal task force officer with the FBI’s Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force.

Bryce is an active speaker and presenter across Utah, delivering training on a range of law enforcement topics. He serves as an instructor for POST and the Utah Prosecution Council, with a focus on sexual assault investigations. He also presents regularly at the Utah Department of Public Safety’s ongoing sexual assault training sessions. His expertise has been featured at numerous professional events, including the TAC Conference, Utah Sheriff’s Convention, Children’s Justice Center Symposium, Victims of Crime Conference, and the Salt Lake City Police Department’s Violent Crime Conference.

BreAnne Wilkes

BreAnn Wilkes serves as a Victim Assistance Specialist with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), where she plays a pivotal role in supporting victims of federal crimes, including child exploitation, human trafficking, and financial fraud. With more than 13 years of experience in victim advocacy and a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice, BreAnn specializes in providing direct assistance to victims, developing procedures and resources to advance HSI’s Victim Assistance Program, and delivering training to HSI personnel and partner organizations. Her expertise includes navigating trauma-related impacts, crisis support, and collaborating with non-governmental organizations to ensure victims receive comprehensive care. Prior to coming to HSI in 2023, BreAnn was the Victim Services Program Supervisor for the Utah County Sheriff’s Office. BreAnn’s dedication to victim advocacy is reflected in her leadership, outreach, and commitment to statutory compliance, making her a trusted resource in the field of victim assistance.