David Weiss leads a specialized team dedicated to investigating and prosecuting all forms of human trafficking, including sex trafficking of adults and children, as well as labor trafficking. He also serves as the law enforcement lead and co-chair of the U.S. Department of Justice-funded Brooklyn Human Trafficking Task Force, a multi-disciplinary collaboration addressing trafficking across New York City19. Since beginning his career in 2006, David has handled a wide spectrum of violent crime cases and, since 2014, has focused exclusively on human trafficking. He has prosecuted numerous traffickers for exploiting both children and adults and has led multi-agency operations resulting in the closure of hotels used for trafficking and the arrest of their owners. In 2017, he was cross-designated as a Special Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, bringing federal sex trafficking charges in a high-profile case involving underage victims. David is recognized nationally and internationally for his expertise in evidence-based, victim-centered prosecutions, regularly presenting to law enforcement, prosecutors, and service providers on best practices, including prosecuting cases without victim testimony. He has testified before the New York State Assembly as a subject matter expert on legislative reforms for trafficking survivors. His work has earned him multiple honors, including the 2024 Homeland Security Investigations New York Field Office Prosecutor of the Year Award and the 2025 Freedom Award from LifeWay Network for his leadership and impact in the fight against human trafficking.

Melissa was the first Human Trafficking Navigator hired for Eastern North Dakota, contracted with the North Dakota Human Trafficking Task Force and was employed with the Bureau of Criminal Investigations as their first Victim/Witness Specialist. She assisted in creating an integrated victim services and law enforcement program in ND. She owns a consulting business (MelKai Consulting, LLC) where she focuses on vicarious trauma/wellness and human trafficking efforts around the country as a trainer and consultant. Melissa graduated with a bachelor’s degree in social work from Minnesota State University Moorhead. She has been a member of the North Dakota Human Trafficking Task Force since its inception in 2016, and is the chair for the Lived Experience Subcommittee and vice chair of the Labor Trafficking Subcommittee. Melissa has trained over 13,000 professionals and students on the topics of trafficking, person-centered and trauma-informed interviews and approaches, creating and maintaini