FBI Arrests 600 People, Rescues 47 Children In Massive US Child Prostitution Rings

WASHINGTON — More than 600 adults have been arrested and 47 children rescued in a three-day roundup targeting people who force children into prostitution.

The FBI said the roundup by federal, state and local law enforcement occurred in 29 cities, adding that the raids dismantled 12 large-scale prostitution operations run through call services, truck stops, casinos and Web sites.

At a news conference announcing the results of Operation Cross Country II, FBI Deputy Director John Pistole said the arrests were made possible by intelligence gathered during a similar series of raids in June.

"Sex trafficking of children remains one of our most violent and unconscionable crimes in this country," Pistole said.

The 47 rescued children ranged in age from 13 to 17, and all but one are female. Of these, Pistole said, 10 had been reported to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

A total of 642 people were arrested. The FBI says they include 73 pimps and 518 adult prostitutes.

The operation was part of a larger, five-year initiative that has led to the recovery of 575 children and the dismantling of 36 criminal operations since June 2003.

Child prostitution has taken on a new urgency in recent years with the growth of online networks where pimps advertise the youngsters to clients. The FBI generally gets involved in child prostitution cases that cross state lines.

A University of Pennsylvania study estimated that nearly 300,000 children in the United States are at risk of being sexually exploited for commercial purposes.

"Make no mistake, the minors who were interdicted as a part of this operation are victims of the most extreme form of sex trafficking," said acting Assistant Attorney General Matthew Friedrich.

"It sadly remains the case even now in 2008 that there remain instances of children in the United States manipulated into prostitution by pimps willing to make a fast buck based on the most vulnerable among us," he said.

Comments

[Ingrida]

Jail or death penalty is not enough for these sick psychos. They don't deserve to walk on this earth. But who cares, right? It's too bad no one famous or people making the laws were affected by that. Otherwise penalties would be a little tougher, on some of them at least. I wish I could do something about it besides feeling sorry for abused ones (especially babies; and can you believe, yes, babies are being raped).

[ProudAmerican23]

Im sure the ACLU will be happy to defend them in court and claim that their civil liberities were violated and that the gov should pay them 100grand each instead of inprison them and those who do go to jail will have a nice cushy cell with a tv, and access to a libary and gym.

To the liberals who think that Megans law is too harsh... go argue your point to the parents of these children.

[donklinestiver]

Surprised that Stevens had to fall on his sword to pretend the Justice Department was "Fair and Balanced" after firing all the US attorneys that wouldn't follow the Rove agenda. This current smokescreen about arresting 600 hookers and 50 children or the number of children kidnapped in the US in ONE hour. And an equal number of runaways run every hour. Not that we shouldnt thank them for trying.

[KOisGod]

put a torch to them, make the wood wet.

[jneems]

Put these pimps in jail for life - in Guatemala. It will be cheaper to house them there.

Or better yet, just dump them on a desert island. Good riddance.

[fishgirl26]

I was watching Dateline the other night...this poor girl was taken, raped, beaten, and her perpetraitor only got 8 YEARS!!!!!! Yet, someone who gets caught w/ marijuana can get put away for alot longer. Our laws need to reflect what happens to child molesters and rapists who ruin the lives of women and children everywhere.

[PeaceMongerToo]

To emstrem:

I don't often find time to post responses to these stories, but I will find time for this. I understand the emotion behind this statement. The emotion is good and coming from the right place. Who doesn't want retribution for unspeakable evils inflicted upon children? Locking them up for 30 years minimum may be a good idea. However, the idea that castrating first time offenders will prevent future crimes against children is plainly ignorant. To think that mutilating someone's genitals in reaction to their horrible acts implies that all of his motivation to abuse comes from his genitals. This kind of reactionary justice is foolish at best. It is no different than cutting off someone's hand because they stole something or stoning a woman to death because she had sex outside of marriage. I am sick of living in a country where there are so many people whose critical thinking takes a backseat to their emotion. Please do us all a favor and leave. All you reactionary religious lemmings can go jump off the cliff or drink the kool-aid in order to be with jesus, xenu, mohammed, or big foot. Then the rational folk can run the world which will finally lead to peace, justice, and prosperity.

[boomer59]

It's too bad so many of the posters are making this a political right vs. left thing, or republican vs democrat thing. This issue goes way beyond this, let 's drop the political garbage and realize that this is one issue that we all need to make sure sees the light of day.

I wish these types of criminals would get the death penalty!

[cpandtle]

Over 900o penises

[spiffarino]

Thank God for these cops who are saving these kids from slavery. I hope the judges put the pimps away until their bones rot.

[tangenjill]

How many Republicans on the list?

[landoffools]

Calling Mr. Dobson !

Calling Mr. Robertson !

Come on out, boys !

[landoffools]

emstrem:
Lets not forget the Bleeding Heart Liberals who got the laws for these pieces
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YAWN !

The list of Child Molesters is rife with Repug's and Evangelicals !!!

Try again Buckwheat !

[The Lorax]

Make's me wish I was on the team that busts these bastards.

I am going to have my 14 year old daughter read this. Knowledge is a good defense...

[mmgbizgirl]

Thank you FBI for saving the children. Thank you.