Human Trafficking Ring (Season Ten)

The Human Trafficking Ring (exact name unknown) appeared in Season Ten of Criminal Minds.

Background
Nothing is currently known about the ring, other than it was founded by serial killer Alex Zorgen. It targeted women and occasionally men, abducting and selling them to clients who would then kill them. At least some of these clients were fellow serial killers. The ring was active in many states in the U.S.

X
The ring was seen at the end of the episode, in which Alex, Donna, and Kyle abduct a woman who is out jogging in the southwestern portion of the U.S. The scene then cuts to a brief montage of clients browsing through the ring's website in search of a potential victim to purchase. One of these clients comes across the woman who was previously abducted, who is up for sale. It is known that they provided serial killer Steven Parkett his third victim and a would-be victim who escaped and was rescued by the BAU.

The Hunt
The ring reappeared in the episode, in which ring members Donna Mangold and her son Kyle Zorgen abduct Meg Callahan and Markayla Davis after months of trying to lure them out. Alex had previously set his sights on them after Meg's mother Kate began closing in on them; she had been surveying at missing persons reports concerning the ring's victims. They take them to Alex's house and hold them captive in the basement. There, Alex arrives and takes a look at them before Markayla is able to escape. Alex and Kyle pursue her, only to lose sight of her, causing Alex to kill Kyle in a fit of rage. Later on, Alex alters Meg's appearance and sells her to Colin Dupley.

Modus Operandi
In their known appearances, the ring targeted women and sometimes men living all over the U.S., whom they abducted. It is known they would lure a victim with a ruse before subduing and abducting them. Afterwards, they would take them to secluded locations, where photos would be taken of them. These photos would be used in online auctions, where the victims would be sold to clients, mostly serial killers who would then kill them.

Profile
The unsubs are ring of sophisticated human traffickers. Their operation is mobile which is why is gone undetected for so long. A broker leads the ring with a male accomplice and a female accomplice. They find victims and tailor their abduction plan to each of their vulnerabilities. Their victims are sold, most likely online to buyers who've been vetted by their team. A male accomplice was shot dead by the broker, suggesting infighting and tension, which could give authorities an opening on the ring. Someone out there knows the leader of this ring. No one should be fooled by his façade as he is a master manipulator. His female accomplice is possibly a compliant victim, who trauma bonded with the broker after years in captivity. The group's sophistication level suggests they are experienced, so it is expected of them to employ forensic countermeasures to hide and change the appearance of the victims before the broker sells them off.

Known Members

 * Alex Zorgen . Portrayed by Brian Howe.
 * Donna Mangold . Portrayed by Melora Walters.
 * Kyle Zorgen . Portrayed by Brent Chase.

Known Clients

 * Steven Parkett . Portrayed by Eric Frentzel.
 * Colin Dupley . Portrayed by Kevin Fry-Bowers.
 * Miles Hendrick . Portrayed by Chris Degner.
 * Numerous unnamed clients all over the U.S. All portrayed by uncredited actors

Known Victims

 * Unspecified dates:
 * At least fifty unnamed victims, all abducted and sold to clients who later murdered them. Known ones are:
 * Modesto, California: Eileen Banks
 * Unspecified location in Virginia: Three unnamed women
 * Unspecified locations:
 * Unnamed woman
 * Unnamed woman
 * Riverside, California: Kim Eakle
 * Unspecified location: Two unnamed women
 * 2014:
 * September, San Diego, California: Angie Stanton
 * October 2, southwestern U.S.: Unnamed woman
 * May 1, 2015, Washington, D.C.: Meg Callahan and Markayla Davis :
 * Meg Callahan
 * Markayla Davis

Appearances

 * Season Ten
 * "X"
 * "The Hunt"