A federal investigation targeting underage sex trafficking was able to recover five children, ages 15 to 17, who were being victimized through prostitution.
Another four female adults were also identified.
FBI Special Agent in Charge Eric Jackson in Kansas City says in a news release that the operation included the arrests of 12 pimps and 14 Johns on state and federal charges.
This is the tenth time they’ve concentrated their efforts in this way, and for the first time, the probe took place in several countries around the world. Law enforcement partners from Cambodia, Canada, The Philippines, and Thailand had operations in their respective countries.
Operations took place in a number of locations, including hotels, truck stops, and street corners. Minors recovered during an arrest are engaged with state protective services, and victim assistance. Depending on the level of need, a law enforcement officer and, if available, an FBI Victim Specialist will accompany the survivor to obtain these services.
“The exploitation of a child being sold for sex is an abhorrent crime preying on the innocent and vulnerable,” said SAC Eric Jackson. “The FBI is committed to aggressively investigating this threat to children across the nation and the globe. We will work vigorously with our law enforcement partners to protect and rescue these victims.”
Operation Cross Country X is the largest ever in the history of the initiative, with 55 FBI field offices and 74 Child Exploitation Task Forces representing more than 400 law enforcement organizations taking part in the operation. In addition, several dozen operations across Canada, and approximately 10 operations took place in six cities across Cambodia, Thailand and the Philippines. Domestically, 82 minors were rescued and 239 traffickers and their associates were arrested as part of Operation Cross Country X. In Canada, as part of a corresponding effort called Northern Spotlight, authorities recovered 16 children. While in Cambodia, Thailand and the Philippines, authorities recovered 25 children, including a two-year-old girl.
Operation Cross Country X is part of the FBI’s Innocence Lost Initiative, which began in 2003. These teams work all year to recover minor trafficking victims. Since the inception of the program, there have been more than 6100 child identifications and locations.
In our area, the following agencies partnered with the FBI Kansas City during Operation Cross Country X:
Kansas City, MO Police Department
Kansas City, KS Police Department
Wyandotte County, Kansas Sheriff’s Department
Overland Park, Kansas Police Department
Independence, Missouri Police Department
Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations
North Kansas City, Missouri Police Department
Junction City, Kansas Police Department
Geary County, Kansas Sheriff’s Department
Topeka, Kansas Police Department
Riley County, Kansas Police Department
Wichita, Kansas Police Department
Wichita Exploited and Missing Child Unit – EMCU
Wichita, Kansas Police Department
Sedgwick County, Sheriff’s Department