Originally published August 2, 2023 7:44 am PDT
In a recent nationwide sweep dubbed “Operation Cross Country,” the FBI, in conjunction with state and local partners, identified and located 200 victims of sex trafficking.
The operation also led to the identification or arrest of 126 suspects of child sexual exploitation and human trafficking offenses, with an additional 68 suspects of trafficking either identified or detained.
“Sex traffickers exploit and endanger some of the most vulnerable members of our society and cause their victims unimaginable harm,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland.
He further highlighted the success of the operation, saying it “located 59 actively missing children, builds on the tremendous work the FBI has undertaken over many years to rescue minor victims and arrest those responsible for these unspeakable crimes.”
In the two-week operation conducted in July, the authorities achieved a significant milestone by finding 59 minor victims of child sex trafficking and child sexual exploitation offenses and locating 59 actively missing children.
They focused their efforts on identifying and locating victims of sex trafficking and investigating and arresting individuals and criminal enterprises involved in both child sex and human trafficking.
FBI Director Christopher Wray expressed the Bureau’s steadfast commitment to combating such heinous crimes, stating, “Human traffickers prey on the most vulnerable members of our society, and their crimes scar victims – many of them children – for life. The FBI’s commitment to combatting this threat will never waver, and we will continue to send our message that these atrocities will not be tolerated.”
The operation’s success was largely attributed to the dedicated work of a multidisciplinary team (MDT) that included victim specialists, child/adolescent forensic interviewers, and other victim service personnel.
Their trauma-informed investigative response ensured that resources were made available to meet the unique needs of trafficking victims.
“Behind every statistic, there is a person with dreams, aspirations, and the right to live a life free from child sex trafficking and exploitation,” said NCMEC President & CEO Michelle DeLaune. “We applaud the FBI and their partner law enforcement agencies for their unwavering dedication to protecting children. Their tireless efforts in combatting crimes against children send a powerful message that child sexual exploitation will not be tolerated.”
