Press Release

FORT WAYNE — Indiana State Police’s Special Investigation detectives and the Bluffton Police Department are investigating a case of human sex trafficking of a child that occurred in Allen and Marion counties.

Leticia Granados, 21; and Harley Cooley, 20, both of Fort Wayne, have been accused of recruiting a child for the purpose of sex trafficking. The child was recovered by family members, who reported the trafficking to law enforcement. An ISP special investigator then began a months-long investigation into the trafficking of the child.

On Feb. 20, the investigators, which included ISP SWAT, Bluffton Police Department, and the FBI, served a search warrant at an address on Franklin Avenue in Fort Wayne. While serving the warrant, another victim of human trafficking was recovered. The victim was offered services and medical attention.

During the investigation at the Fort Wayne address, detectives also found an amount of suspected fentanyl.

With the cooperation of the initial victim, it was determined Granados and Cooley were involved in online solicitation of the child and themselves. It was also discovered there are other victims involved.

ISP is actively seeking out other victims. If anyone has information involving Granados or Cooley having contact with victims for sex trafficking, please contact the ISP Fort Wayne Post at (26) 432-8661.

Granados and Cooley are each charged with two counts of promotion of human sex trafficking of a child, both level 3 felonies; and child exploitation – production of child pornography, a level 5 felony.