A nationwide operation against sex trafficking rescued 141 adults and 121 minors over a period of two weeks earlier this month.
The Department of Justice announced the results of “Operation Cross Country” Monday, saying 84 minor sex trafficking victims were rescued and 37 actively missing children were identified.
“Human trafficking is among the most heinous crimes the FBI encounters,” FBI Director Christopher Wray said in a statement. “Unfortunately, such crimes — against both adults and children — are far more common than most people realize.”
FBI Announces Results of Nationwide Sex Trafficking Operation
Operation Cross Country XII Leads to Identification/Location of Adolescent Victimshttps://t.co/0IzSgji8Cv
— Justice Department (@TheJusticeDept) August 15, 2022
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Federal investigators worked with state and local law enforcement partners to identify or arrest “85 suspects of child sexual exploitation and human trafficking offenses,” the DOJ said, noting that the suspects identified will be investigated for potential charges.
While the average age of the victims located is around 15.5 years old, an 11-year-old victim was discovered and rescued in “Operation Cross Country.”
The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children partnered with the operation.
“Children are being bought and sold for sex in communities across the country by traffickers, gangs, and even family members,” Michelle DeLaune, the president and CEO of the center, said in a statement. “We’re proud to support the FBI’s efforts to prioritize the safety of children. This national operation highlights the need for all child-serving professionals to continue to focus on the wellbeing of children and youth to prevent them from being targeted in the first place.”
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Victim specialists are provided to those rescued to help meet their individual needs, including crisis intervention, emergency food and clothing, transportation to receive emergency services, and locating shelter or housing.
