North Dakota
‘Horrifying’ human trafficking story becomes full-length movie filmed in North Dakota
BISMARCK — Ejaz Khan was in the middle of filming a movie about horses in Linton, North Dakota, when he waltzed into a gas station for coffee.
Standing behind him with no shoes on — in the dead of winter — was a young woman who he later learned was a survivor of child sex trafficking. While also battling addiction, she was still shackled to the industry as a sex worker.
That was over four years ago. The New Yorker was still completing
“Before They Vanish”
— released in 2022 — when he became friendly with the woman after buying her food.
Upon hearing the shoeless woman’s “horrifying” life story, Khan’s focus whipped from horses to victims and survivors of child sex trafficking.
“After that, I just was devastated. I went back home, spoke to my wife and said, ‘Here we are creating this film on horses and donating proceeds,’ ” he recounted. “But yet, look at this human. Look at what her family members have done to her.’”
The moment was the inspiration for “Trapped,” which follows the story of a young girl who is being sex trafficked by her mother’s boyfriend.
Contributed / Ejaz Khan Cinema
Filmed
entirely in subzero Linton,
Khan said the plot was inspired by the woman he met at the gas station.
Sex trafficking is a form of human trafficking.
According to the North Dakota
Human Trafficking Guide,
the term is used to describe the process of recruiting, harboring, transporting and/or soliciting a person to perform forced, coerced sex acts for money. Victims and survivors can be of any age but are often people who were minors at the time of the crime.
Statewide data from North Dakota’s annual
Human Trafficking Report
documents 102 sex trafficking victims and just two arrests made in 2023.
Nearly one in four of those women trafficked identified as American Indian or Alaska Native, according to the report.
Khan told Forum News Service that the movie doesn’t specifically point to the disproportionate effects sex trafficking has on Native American communities since it follows the story of the woman he met in Linton, who he said didn’t identify as Native American.
However, the director said Native American women still inspire aspects of the movie, having made up a notable portion of the more than 80 survivors with whom he spoke throughout the production process.
Contributed / Ejaz Khan Cinema
A screening of the movie will take place Wednesday, Nov. 13, at the Grand 22 Theater in Bismarck. Lt. Gov.-elect Michelle Strinden is set to attend as an audience member along with Attorney General Drew Wrigley, who is currently on the list as a “maybe.”
Audience members are by invitation only, including people who belong to related organizations in addition to community leaders.
There will also be representatives from the 31:8 Project,
a resource based in Bismarck
for survivors of human and sex trafficking. Khan worked with the organization while filming the movie.
“Trapped” will be officially released on Jan. 31, 2025, during Human Trafficking Prevention Month. It will be available on Amazon, Google Play and iTunes.
Though the movie is not yet rated, Khan said the crew has worked “very hard” to bring down its rating to PG so that all audiences can learn from its subject material.
“As a director, I’m saying that it’s going to be very uncomfortable. But just imagine what an hour and a half can do. Put yourself in that hour and a half-hour, 40 minutes, of discomfort to help your own children. That’s all I’m asking for,” Khan said.
“Don’t sweep it under the rug,” he said. “We have to face it. Period.”
MAPLETON, N.D. (Valley News Live) – Casselton Fire responded to a shop fire in rural Mapleton on Saturday afternoon, according to Casselton Fire Chief John Hejl.
Casselton Fire was dispatched to the scene at 3:30 p.m. Saturday. Windy conditions escalated the fire before crews arrived, Hejl said.
Firefighters used defensive and offensive lines to control the fire upon arrival.
Casselton Fire was assisted by Cass County Sheriff’s Office, Casselton Ambulance, West Fargo Police Department, Davenport Fire and Mapleton Fire.
Copyright 2026 KVLY. All rights reserved.
A do not use water advisory issued by the City of Finley, North Dakota. April 2026.
FINLEY, N.D. (KFGO) – The city of Finley, North Dakota has been without potable water since Friday due to a suspected water main leak. Steele County Emergency Management says it is unclear how long it will take to restore water services in the city.
The North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality says the available water in Finley has been deemed unusable for drinking, cooking, bathing and washing dishes or laundry.
The water system will need to be flushed and samples that say the water is safe will need to be collected for the water advisory to be lifted.
Richard D. “Rick” Langowski, age 78 of Minto, North Dakota passed away on Thursday, April 16, 2026 at his home in Minto.
Rick was born March 10, 1948 in Grafton, North Dakota, the son of the late Julian and Catherine (Wysocki) Langowski. In 1967, he volunteered for the military bringing him to Germany as a Motor Sargent. After an Honorable Discharge he took a job at the International Airport in Grand Forks, ND. His duties included: refueling planes and jets as well as maintaining the grounds. He had the opportunity to meet the famous singer Mr. James Brown.
Rick was united in marriage to Alice Odegard on June 17, 1982 in Minto, North Dakota. The family made their home in Minto where they raised Jason and Angela. Rick was very proud of his children and loved them more than anything. He told everyone and bragged about the children he raised. He cherished his grandchildren and loved to be present in every aspect of their lives.
His career changed to semi driving where he drove for Cenex Transportation for four years and ten years for Valley Transports. His love for the open road directed him into the used car business. He opened Minto Auto Sales and Services in 1987, proudly operating for 39 years. He had the privilege to meet many people and travel to many places. He enjoyed riding his many Harley Davidson Motorcycles. In 2025, he sold the business to his longtime mechanic and friend, Aaron Anderson. In Rick’s opinion, “Minto Auto is one of the best mechanical shops in the area.”
He was a member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Minto, ND. He loved hunting with Jason, watching sports, especially the Yankees and Twins. In 2017, Rick was able to enjoy a father/son trip of a lifetime to Alaska. He thoroughly enjoyed every aspect of the trip and thought was the best time of his life.
Rick is survived by his children: Jason Odegard, Reynolds, ND; Angela (Nick) Eppert, Goshen, IN; grandchildren: Ashlyn, Kaia, Annika, Boden and Caelan; sisters: Carol King, Grand Forks, ND; Connie Jones, Argyle, MN; seven nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his very close friend and confidant, Yvette Estep, Grafton, ND. He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings: Robert and Ronald.
Rick’s family would like to extend a very special thank you to Yvette Estep, an employee of Rick’s, affectionately known as “hotrod.” She was there for Rick, along with Aaron for doctor’s appointments, treatments and helped comfort him throughout his battle. Jason and Angela will be forever indebted to her and consider her family.
Mass of Christian Burial will be Wednesday, April 22, 2026 at 10:30 A.M. at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church of Minto. Visitation will be for one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be at the Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery, Minto, ND. Military Rites will be provided by the Minto American Legion Post and the North Dakota National Guard Honor Guard.
or send flowers to the family in memory of Richard D. Langowski, please visit our
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