FBI Detroit Participates in Operation Cross Country VII with Members of Southeast Michigan Crimes Against Children Task Force
| FBI Detroit July 29, 2013 |
The FBI Detroit Field Office announces the following statistics as a result of participation in the annual three-day Operation Cross Country, together with members of the Southeast Michigan Crimes against Children Task Force:
- Detroit ranked second of 76 cities in successful recovery of juveniles and overall statistics
- 59 total arrests made in Macomb, Oakland, Wayne, and Genesee Counties
- 10 juveniles recovered and 18 pimp arrests
- Agencies involved in operation include Michigan State Police, Oakland County Sheriff, Wayne County Sheriff, Southfield Police, Detroit Police, Highland Park Police, Livonia Police, Roseville Police, Farmington Hills Police, Washtenaw County Sheriff, Bay City Police, Macomb County Sheriff, Macomb Area Computer Enforcement, and Grand Blanc Township Police
- Nearly $60,000 and numerous vehicles were also seized
In response to the statistics, FBI Assistant Director Ron Hosko stated, “Child prostitution remains a persistent threat to children across America. This operation serves as a reminder that these abhorrent crimes can happen anywhere and that law enforcement remains committed to stopping this cycle of victimization and holding the criminals who profit from this exploitation accountable.”
Michigan State Police Lt. Michael A. Shaw stated, “The Michigan State Police continues to work with our federal and local law enforcement partners to protect children from human trafficking not only in the state of Michigan but across the country. The Michigan State Police and the SEMCAC Task Force are committed to the prosecution of those who victimize our children for their own gain. The loss of innocence of just one child will not be tolerated.”
Macomb County Sheriff Anthony Wickersham stated, “The Macomb County Sheriff Office is committed to working with federal, state, and local partners in order to ensure the safety of minors. Criminals who seek to violate and prey upon juveniles by luring them into prostitution will be pursued and prosecuted.”
Southfield Chief of Police Eric Hawkins stated, “The Southfield Police Department is proud to participate in this type of multi-jurisdictional law enforcement. Thanks to the hard work of dedicated investigators from each of the federal, state, and local agencies, 10 juveniles have been rescued from the sex trade, and numerous dangerous individuals have been stopped from preying on these young victims.”