SWAT raid mistakenly targets wrong Las Vegas home in human trafficking bust
Innocent homeowner caught in case of mistaken identity finally gets damage compensation
A southwest Las Vegas homeowner’s peaceful morning turned into a nightmare when SWAT teams mistakenly raided her property during a human trafficking investigation last month. The August 20 incident left Kim Layson with thousands of dollars in damage to her home near Durango and Warm Springs, sparking questions about police investigation protocols.
Layson, who has owned her Melridge Road home for five years, was away with her boyfriend and daughter when her security system alerted her to unusual activity. “I saw the SWAT truck in my driveway. And that’s when a lot of my cameras just kind of got shot at and went offline,” Layson told local media.
A costly case of outdated information
The raid was part of a larger Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department operation targeting a human trafficking ring. However, police were searching for the home’s previous owner who had sold the property to Layson back in 2020. Despite the five-year gap, law enforcement apparently failed to verify current ownership before executing the warrant signed by District Court Judge Jacqueline Bluth.
The damage to Layson’s property was extensive, including her garage, front door, and security cameras. Making matters worse, her homeowner’s insurance declined to cover the repairs, and LVMPD initially told her she would be responsible for the costs under Nevada Revised Statutes.
Police reverse course after public pressure
Following media coverage and public outcry, LVMPD changed its position. The department issued a statement saying: “LVMPD does have a process in place through our risk management section to handle such claims, and unfortunately, due to a misunderstanding, this claim was prematurely denied.” The department has since agreed to cover all repair costs.
Stephen Ranieri, Layson’s boyfriend, questioned the police tactics: “I feel like they could have done anything to confirm he’s inside; they could have staked out in front of the house, sent one guy just to see if he’s there.”
Successful arrests made at correct locations
While Layson’s home was mistakenly targeted, the investigation did yield results at other locations. Three suspects were arrested after being accused of operating an illegal brothel at a separate home near Hacienda Avenue and Tenaya Way.
The suspects identified include Wei Wang and his girlfriend Ting Ting Wu, along with Cheng Ping Hu, who allegedly managed the DG Karaoke Lounge near Jones and Desert Inn. Wang told police he made around $10,000 a month by providing places for women to work, often times communicating meetups and chauffeuring women to casinos on the Las Vegas Strip.
Rising human trafficking enforcement
The raid comes amid increased enforcement efforts in Las Vegas. FOX5 has learned human trafficking arrests are up 70% this year, as authorities work to combat the illegal sex trade in the entertainment capital.
All suspects face multiple charges including facilitating sex trafficking, encouraging a brothel, and living from the earnings of prostitution. They are scheduled for preliminary hearings on September 10.
While LVMPD has confirmed Layson is not part of any criminal investigation, the incident raises serious questions about verification procedures before executing high-impact search warrants, especially when innocent families can be caught in the crossfire.
Image Sources: https://news3lv.com/news/local/las-vegas-police-make-arrest-during-human-trafficking-investigation
Category: Breaking News
Subcategory: Crime & Safety
Date: 08/28/2025
