Ali hopper

Alicia “Ali” Hopper is an internationally recognized expert in human trafficking, a criminologist, and a paralegal with more than a decade of experience working at the intersection of law enforcement, legislation, and field-based criminal research. Her work focuses on child exploitation, grooming, and transnational trafficking networks, with an emphasis on translating offender behavior and operational patterns into investigative insight, prosecutorial strategy, and effective policy.

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Ali is the author of Florida’s landmark Anti-Grooming Bill, now used as model legislation in multiple states. She has testified before both the United States House of Representatives and the United States Senate on child trafficking and exploitation and has delivered congressional and Senate briefings to lawmakers and senior government officials. She is also the recipient of a Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition for outstanding and invaluable service to the community. Her analysis has informed legislative strategy, law enforcement training, and national initiatives aimed at protecting children and dismantling trafficking networks.

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Ali conducts extensive, on-the-ground field research, including direct interviews with incarcerated human traffickers and cartel-affiliated offenders throughout the United States, Mexico, Central America, and South America. This work provides detailed insight into grooming behaviors, recruitment pathways, coercive control, facilitation methods, and the operational structure of transnational criminal organizations. Her firsthand intelligence is used to support investigative approaches, case development, and prevention-focused training.

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She has trained U.S. law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, policymakers, and government officials domestically and internationally, including delivering training to INTERPOL in South America. Ali serves on Florida’s Circuit 12 Human Trafficking Task Force and regularly collaborates with multidisciplinary teams focused on child protection, complex investigations, and exploitation prevention. She is also the President and co-founder of GUARD Against Trafficking, a 501(c)(3) that leads international research and training initiatives supporting law enforcement and legislative efforts.

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With a legal foundation as a paralegal, Ali brings a practical understanding of evidentiary standards, charging considerations, and courtroom realities. She is known for presenting trafficking dynamics in a manner that is operationally relevant, legally sound, and directly applicable to real-world investigations and prosecutions.