In the one of the largest operations against child sex-trafficking, a three-day sweep this weekend had the FBI arresting 150 people in the United Stated that were involved in holding children against their will for prostitution.
FBI agents told Reuters that of the 150 suspects, 18 were arrested by agents based in Detroit, 17 by agents from San Francisco, and 13 by Oklahoma City agents. Some of the suspects belonged to organized criminal operations, while other suspects acted alone. It is reported that 105 children were recovered by FBI agents during the operation near truck stops, motels, and casinos, and were forced to work as prostitutes.
About 1,350 people have been convicted as part of the program called “Operation Cross Country,” and at least 10 of them were sentenced to life in prison.
The Guardian reported that the raids had taken place in 76 cities this week. Officials shared, “Children who are most vulnerable to being exploited for sex crimes are between 13 and 16 years old without strong ties to family members.”
It is believed that those who are involved in sex trafficking lack education and come from a background of poverty, drugs, and violence.
Operation Cross Country has since identified and rescued 2,700 children who have been forced into prostitution. Those who have been arrested have served sentences up to 50 years in prison.
Ron Hosko, the assistant director of the bureau's Criminal Investigative Division, said: "Child prostitution remains a persistent threat to children across America.
The bureau has not yet released a list of the suspects or children.