John,

Human trafficking doesn’t stop because it’s Christmas or because there are Black Friday deals to chase...or because families are hanging lights from their rooflines.

Tragically, it continues every single day - in cities, suburbs, and small towns. And it is growing. 

As you spend these few minutes reading my email, this billion-dollar industry is at work - tightening its grip on our communities.

The headlines don't slow down for the holidays either. In fact, they never stop. 

“Arrest warrants detail Hartford human trafficking investigation that led to the arrest of 7” – WFSB 

Children are being approached online every day. 

In this case, a predator contacted a 14-year-old through Instagram DMs — a reminder of just how easily traffickers access our children on social media. 

From there, the girls were moved from house to house… a trap-house basement… a motel. 

To traffickers, these precious children were disposable. They transported them based on opportunity, convenience, or profit. 

“Nebraska teacher allegedly offered to ‘share’ boyfriend with student in sex trafficking case” – Fox News 

When our children leave for school, we expect safety — but that is not always reality. 

A teacher and her boyfriend were arrested for trafficking a high school student. The victim came forward after reporting inappropriate interactions. 

The teacher now faces charges of sexual grooming, while both face trafficking charges. 

“Anne Arundel County man indicted on massive Philippines sex trafficking ring” – CBS News 

Sometimes you hear about it on the news… sometimes on social media… and sometimes it happens right on your street. 

In this case, victims were between 10 and 14 years old.

The offender faces a 15-count federal indictment — from sexual exploitation to coercion to child pornography. All of it connected through an online account he used to reach known traffickers overseas. 

These stories appear every hour. 
Every day. 
Everywhere. 

My name is Eduardo Verástegui. I’m reaching out to you from the Sound of Freedom Foundation — we are funding real-time rescue operations alongside law enforcement, cyber-intelligence teams and former special forces. Together we find and extract victims from traffickers — fast.

As the holiday season begins, I’m asking you to pause...just for a moment...and help stop this nightmare for children. 

Can you help me put an end to the nightmare for these children?

Your gift today funds real rescues:

When a credible tip comes in, our teams - former Navy SEALs, undercover investigators, and cyber-intelligence analysts move in hours, sometimes minutes.

In partnership with local law enforcement, we pull victims out of hotels, cars crossing state lines and hidden brothels.

The Sound of Freedom Foundation team works tirelessly to protect children and adults from the ravages of human trafficking.

Our mission is clear: create a world where no one ever has to live in fear of being trafficked or exploited. 

We will not wait. We will not slow down. We will not stop. 

Traffickers certainly don’t. 

They target children because the demand grows — and because there are people willing to pay. 

The average victim? Just 14 years old. 

Please, don’t wait until after the holidays. 

Traffickers don’t pause for events, vacations, or celebrations. They attack the body, soul, and spirit — relentlessly. 

82% of sex crimes now start online. 
Traffickers groom children through gaming apps, chat rooms, dating apps — all in the light of day. 

This is why we must bring more attention to this issue together. 

Your gift helps expose trafficking, support victims, and shine a light where darkness thrives. 

The Sound of Freedom Foundation exists to confront this evil head-on — exposing networks, equipping local partners, and funding rescue operations.  

We walk with survivors through their long journey of healing — helping them reclaim their freedom and their future. 

There is still so much more to do. Lawmakers are fighting back with stronger penalties — but laws alone are not enough. Local agencies still need resources to enforce those laws, support victims, and prevent abuse before it begins. 

Together — truly — we can make a difference. 

With gratitude,

Eduardo Verástegui 
Producer, Sound of Freedom
For the Sound of Freedom Foundation