When Hannah Palmquist embarked on the hiring process for the Georgia Attorney General’s fresh Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit, she made it a point to seek out the most highly qualified candidates.
Five years later, the unit is now primarily staffed by women, which Palmquist believes serves as an inspiration for other women to pursue careers in fields that have traditionally been dominated by men.
“As a leader, my philosophy revolved around selecting the most suitable individuals for the role, regardless of their gender,” Palmquist shared in an exclusive interview with The Atlanta Journal-Constitution during Women’s History Month. “I find it remarkable that it coincidentally worked out that way.”
Palmquist, a former assistant district attorney in DeKalb and Cobb counties, was appointed to head the unit in 2019. The team consists of eight women and three men, who serve as investigators, analysts, prosecutors, and victim advocates.
Frances Reyes became the first female investigator to join the unit in 2021.
“I still feel a great sense of pride about that,” Reyes expressed. “It also serves as an inspiring example for anyone who aspires to become an investigator.”
Palmquist and Reyes had completely different upbringings. Palmquist grew up in rural Minnesota, surrounded by cornfields, while Reyes experienced the chaos of Washington Heights in New York City. Neither of them had any friends or relatives involved in law, but both developed a passion for it after being inspired by television.
When Palmquist was just 6 years old, he vividly remembers being captivated by the complexity of the O.J. Simpson trial. On the other hand, Reyes found himself completely engrossed in “Cops,” a popular and long-running television show in the United States.
Afterward, Palmquist found herself in the computer lab of her high school, where she was engrossed in researching “How to get into law school.” Eventually, she achieved her goal and graduated from Emory University School of Law in 2012.
During her time at Herzing University, Reyes came across a flyer at the Atlanta college that caught her attention. The flyer was advertising the police academy, which sparked her interest in law enforcement. In 2015, she became a deputy with the Rockdale County Sheriff’s Office, and two years later, she joined the special victims unit at the DeKalb solicitor-general’s office. After gaining valuable experience there, she eventually joined the AG’s office.
Under Palmquist’s leadership, the human trafficking unit has achieved a remarkable 100% conviction rate. Palmquist credits this outstanding achievement to the unwavering dedication and hard work of team members like Reyes.
According to Palmquist, human trafficking is a challenging issue to identify because it operates covertly. While stumbling upon a kilo of cocaine is a clear indication of drug trafficking, human trafficking requires a deeper understanding. It involves delving beneath the surface, asking the right questions, and recognizing the appropriate signs. Unlike other illicit activities, human trafficking is more subtle and therefore harder to detect.
Attorney General Chris Carr stated earlier this year that Georgia is leading the way in combating the despicable exploitation of individuals in society. The trafficking prosecution unit has made significant progress in this fight, rescuing 129 victims and obtaining 29 convictions in 2023. These numbers reflect an increase from the previous years, with 116 victims saved and five convictions in 2022, and 107 victims saved and three convictions in 2021.
Palmquist has been providing training to law enforcement and victim advocates on how to effectively identify the signs. In addition, she has been educating prosecutors on how to be resourceful in order to present a coherent narrative to a jury, especially in cases where the victim is uncooperative with authorities.
In the first case Palmquist handled with the AG’s office in 2021 in Cobb, the victim, a 16-year-old, testified that she had never been trafficked. According to Palmquist, it is not unusual for victims to try to protect their traffickers due to fear. To address this, Palmquist enlisted the help of an expert witness who could explain to the jury and judge the underlying reasons for such behavior.
Palmquist emphasized that despite the limited content of her testimony, they were still able to secure a conviction on all counts.
According to Reyes, women and children make up the majority of trafficking victims, which is why they may find it more comfortable to confide in a female investigator.
According to Reyes, the victims are able to see themselves in her. They feel a sense of equality, as they recognize that she is also a woman and can relate to their experiences. Reyes believes that the most crucial aspect is establishing a connection with the victim and offering the necessary services that they may require.
In addition to gathering victim testimony, Reyes performs various tasks to collect evidence. She talks to witnesses, searches crime scenes for trafficking-related items, sifts through phone records and other technological data, identifies suspects, and carries out arrests.
Uncovering evidence and going to court may be exhilarating for Reyes and Palmquist, but what truly makes their job rewarding is witnessing the relief of victims when they are rescued and their trafficker is sent to prison.
Palmquist expressed a strong sense of pride in her decision to venture into this particular career path.
Palmquist believes that regardless of one’s upbringing or circumstances, it is always possible to make a change. He emphasizes that it is perfectly acceptable to choose a different path than those around you.
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