Nationwide FBI operation cracks down on sex trafficking.

Just last weekend, a nationwide FBI operation called “Operation Cross Country V” was carried out over three days with the aim of stopping child sex trafficking. From that weekend alone, a total of 69 children were rescued.

In Chicago, three juveniles were rescued while six adults were arrested for solicitation and 39 adults for various other charges related to trafficking.
Out in Portland, the FBI also recovered three girls during their sting operation, which also resulted in the arrest of 19 adults involved in trafficking and prostitution.

Nationally, the arrest total was over 885 including 99 alleged pimps, according to the FBI. As with past “Cross Country” operations, the FBI sought out the assistance of local agencies from 40 cities.

The operation is part of the Innocence Lost National Initiative that was launched in June of 2003 by the FBI in collaboration with the Department of Justice Child Exploitation & Obscenity Section and the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children. They felt a need to address and respond to the increasing instances of illicit activity in the sex industry in the United States, especially among children. The initiative now has 39 dedicated task forces and working groups throughout the U.S. This most recent operation involved over 2,100 local, state, and federal law enforcement officers representing 186 separate agencies who are also dedicated to ongoing enforcement efforts.

Over 1,200 children have been successfully recovered and returned home since the inception of the program seven years ago. The operations have led to the conviction of 625 pimps, madams, and their associates. To find out more statistics and information, check out the FBI press release.