FBI Announces Results of Three-Day Child Sex Trafficking Sweep

Today the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Department of Justice, and National Center for Missing and Exploited Children announced the conclusion of a three-day law enforcement action—Operation Cross Country II—aimed at combating sex trafficking of children. A similar enforcement action took place in June of this year as part of Operation Cross Country. Information obtained from the June enforcement action led FBI special agents and task force officers to identify other underage victims of sex trafficking. Both enforcement actions are aimed at disrupting the cycle of victimization of children involved in prostitution by getting them off the streets and at developing sufficient evidence to bring serious federal charges against the pimps who are profiting from the sale of children in this way.

Last week, the FBI joined with more than 92 federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies in Operation Cross Country II across 29 cities. This effort led to 642 arrests and most importantly, the removal of 47 children from the cycle of victimization.

“Sex trafficking of children is one of the most violent and unconscionable crimes committed in this country,” said FBI Deputy Director John S. Pistole. “For that reason, we are committed to working with our partners to bring those who exploit children to justice. There are few law enforcement missions more important than protecting our nation’s children.”

“The FBI’s leadership in attacking the problem of domestic trafficking of children is unprecedented and historic. These kids are victims being used as commodities for sale or trade. The unique partnership between the FBI, the Justice Department, and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children is saving lives and bringing organized criminals to justice,” said Ernie Allen, President and CEO of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

In June 2003, the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division Crimes Against Children Unit, in close cooperation with the Department of Justice’s Child Exploitations-Obscenity Section (CEOS) and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), formed the Innocence Lost National Initiative to address criminal enterprises involved in the domestic sex trafficking of children. This program brings state and federal law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, and social service providers from around the country to NCMEC, where the groups are trained together. In addition, CEOS has reinforced the training by assigning prosecutors to help bring cases in those cities plagued by child prostitution. Our alliance is proving to be a success. To date, the work of our 28 Innocence Lost task forces and working groups around the country have resulted in 265 indictments, 365 convictions on a combination of state and federal charges, 46 criminal enterprises disrupted and 36 successfully dismantled. Most importantly, our efforts have led to the recovery of 575 child victims.

The FBI extends its sincere appreciation to our partners who participated in Operation Cross Country II and ongoing enforcement efforts:

Alameda County Sheriff’s Office, Alexandria Police Department, Anchorage Police Department, Ann Arundel County Police Department, Arlington Heights Police Department, Atlanta Police Department, Atlantic City Police Department, Aurora Police Department, Boston Police Department, California Department of Justice, Campbell Police Department, Chelsea Police Department, Chicago Police Department, City of Miami Police Department, Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office, College Park Police Department, Concord Police Department, Cook County Sheriff’s Office, Costa Mesa Police Department, Dallas Police Department, DC Metropolitan Police Department, Delaware State Police, Denver Police Department, Detroit Police Department, Dublin Police Department, Edmond Police Department, Egg Harbor Township Police Department, Elk Grove Police Department, Fulton County Police Department, Glenview Police Department, Gloucester County Prosecutor’s Office, Grays Lake Police Department, Gurnee Police Department, Gwinnett County Police Department, Hapeville Police Department, Harris Country Sheriff’s Office, Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, Honolulu Police Department, Houston Police Department, Howard County Police Department, Immigration and Custom’s Enforcement, Indianapolis Police Department, Lake County Sheriff’s Office, Lakewood Police Department, Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, Livermore Police Department, Louisiana State Police, Madison Heights Police Department, Maryland State Police, Massachusetts State Police, Miami Beach Police Department, Miami Dade Police Department, Michigan State Police, Midwest City Police Department, Milpitas Police Department, Montgomery County Police Department, Moreno Valley Police Department, Morgan Hill Police Department, Mundelein Police Department, Nevada Attorney General’s Office, New Jersey State Police, Norman Police Department, Oakland Police Department, Office of Inspector General - Social Security Administration, Oklahoma City Police Department, Ontario Police Department, Phoenix Police Department, Pierce County Sheriff’s Office, Pomona Police Department, Prince William County Police Department, Reno Police Department, Riverside Police Department, Rolling Meadows Police Department, Rowan University Police Department, Sacramento Police Department, San Bernardino Police Department, San Diego Police Department, San Francisco Police Department, San Jose Police Department, San Mateo Police Department, San Rafael Police Department, Santa Rosa Police Department, Shreveport, Police Department, Southfield Police Department, Sparks Police Department, Tacoma Police Department, Tampa Police Department, Toledo Police Department, University of Nevada at Reno Police Department, Washoe County Sheriff’s Office, Wayne County Sheriff’s Office, and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

The charges announced today are merely accusations and all defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law.

More information about the Innocence Lost National Initiative