A vigilante group claim to have discovered a child sex trafficking camp with an underground bunker, a so-called ‘rape tree’, and a branch with the name ‘Maddie’ carved into it.
The abandoned camp near Tucson, Arizona, was uncovered by Veterans On Patrol, which helps ex-servicemen who have become homeless.
The veterans believe the site was used to confine and sexually abuse children, although police say they have carried out a full inspection and believe it was solely used as a homeless shelter.
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The abandoned camp near Tucson, Arizona, was uncovered by Veterans On Patrol, which helps ex-servicemen who have become homeless. Pictured is what they described as a ‘rape tree’ which appeared to be fitted with hand restraints
The vigilantes believe this bunker, accessed through a small hole held up by a tire, was used to confine and sexually abuse children, although police say they have carried out a full inspection and can find no evidence of this theory
The bunker can only accessed by a small opening and was found stuffed with children’s clothing and toys. The veterans claim this was where children were locked up and held captive.
Meanwhile, Jon McLane, 35, chaplain of Bravo Base, a nearby homeless camp, found a tree with hand restraints and a swing, which he described as a ‘rape tree’.
Inscribed into another tree at the site was the name ‘Maddie’, apparently in a child’s handwriting.
He told The Sun: ‘When you enter you can see the underground area and there is a kind of outdoor restraining area – what people are calling a “rape tree”.
Children’s toys and clothes were uncovered at the site by Veterans on Patrol, which helps homeless ex-servicemen. Pictured: An old Barbie doll
Tucson Police Department inspected the site – located on an abandoned cement plant – on May 29 and concluded it was not used for child sex trafficking. Pictured: Piles of discarded food
This sign, written by Veterans on Patrol, warns alleged child sex traffickers that ‘we are coming for you’
‘The straps are embedded into the tree in a way that whoever was tied to that could not get off.
‘I’ve seen so many homeless camps and I’ve never seen anything like this nor could I imagine why a homeless camp would have something like this.’
Vigilante group member Lewis Arthur live-streamed the moment the site was discovered
There were also claims a body was buried at the site, although a police search using cadaver dogs confirmed this was not the case.
Tucson Police Department inspected the site – located on an abandoned cement plant – on May 29 and concluded it was not used for child sex trafficking.
‘Officers, detectives, and command staff conducted a thorough inspection of the site, spoke to the reporting parties, and collected evidence,’ it said in a statement.
‘Based on the department’s investigation to this point, there is no indication this camp is being used for any type of criminal activity, including human trafficking.
‘Yesterday, an unsubstantiated assertion was made that a body might be buried at the site. A cadaver dog was used to check the area with negative results.’
Dailymail.com has contacted Tucson Police Department, the FBI and Veterans On Patrol for comment.
John McLane is chaplain of Bravo Base (pictured) a nearby camp for homeless veterans. He described uncovering a series of disturbing finds at the old cement plant site
Claims by Veterans On Patrol (pictured) quickly circulated on social media, but police have not been able to prove their veracity