Authorities arrest Ferndale man as part of multi-agency human trafficking investigation
Whatcom County law enforcement officers recently rescued multiple victims of human trafficking during a coordinated operation led by the Department of Homeland Security inside the county.
Homeland Security Investigations conducted two Whatcom County operations over April 19-21. The first was the rescue of seven victims from human trafficking. A second operation also related to human trafficking led to the arrest of Noone Danger Marshal, 43, of Ferndale.
Marshall is suspected of arranging commercial sex services with a subject he believed to be 16, in exchange for marijuana, according to Deb Slater with the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office. Multiple sexual objects and $625 in cash were found in Marshall’s possession after his arrest, according to authorities.
The operation that led to Marshal’s arrest was conducted with participation from the Homeland Security Investigations, Whatcom Gang and Drug Task Force, Bellingham Police Department, Drug Enforcement Administration, King County Sheriff’s Office, Bellevue Police Department and the Whatcom County Prosecutors Office.
Marshall was arrested on suspicion of attempted commercial sex abuse of a minor, felony communicating with a minor and attempted distribution to persons under the age of 18.
He was booked into Whatcom County Jail around 6:30 p.m. Friday, April 19. He was still in custody late Monday afternoon.
Slater said the investigations remain active and no additional information would be released at this time.
To report any information about human trafficking, child sexual abuse, or the trafficking in child sexual abuse material, immediately call the HSI Tipline at 877-4-HSI TIP or 877-447-4847.
Editor’s note (April 25): This article has been updated to report there were two simultaneous Homeland Security operations, and that they are unrelated. The rescue of seven people and Marshal’s arrest are not related.
This story was originally published April 22, 2024 at 3:30 PM.
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