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

[BlueZoo]

If only I could be on one of the juries trying this scum! Saving even one child from this horror isn't enough, though. They need extensive therapy after their ordeal and this doesn't appear to be addressed. My revulsion of this, or any, crime against children just cannot be expressed in mere words. There are moments when vigilante justice just seems right and this is one of them. When our courts are prevented from assessing the highest penalties for crimes against our children, we are moved to other forms of justice. We must get the penalties changed!

[maribelle1963]

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

WHERE ARE THE JOHNS in this arrest list? Where are the sick men who pay money to r a p e children?

[emstrem]

Lets not forget the Bleeding Heart Liberals who got the laws for these pieces of s**t relaxed in the first place. The one huge big problem is the frickin' high repeat offender crime rate in child molestation cases. Why in the hell do we not have stiffer penalties for them? While at the same time dropping the ones that are a joke (in Michigan, you go on the list for pissing in public)? Castrate first time offenders (there will be no 2nd time), and lock them up for 30 years minimum. Just think of these poor kids, they dont get a say in any of this, and more than likely will be messed up for THE REST OF THEIR LIVES.

[leekinny]

Besides 'Bleeding Heart' being a good thing(it's a reference to the Sacred Heart of Christ) the Dems were not responsible for those laws. In fact every time they tried to stop it Republicans like the Hammer wouldn't let any Dem legislation see the light of day.

This is also why it is very important for the Democrats to get 60 votes in the Senate, so this can be investigated and stopped.

[Mort]

Good point. Any time someone mentions Sheriff Joe Arpaio lots of libs have a hemorrhage.

[PeaceMongerToo]

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.

[MakeAWish]

Way to go FBI! Child molesters are scums of the earth. To bad hell doesn't have a door we can open at will and drop these sickos into.

[JeanPaulSatire]

This is shocking!

And by "this" I mean the fact that a major FBI sex operation resulted in sooo many arrests with nary a single Rethuglican member of Congress among them!

[Amalek]

How many of the 73 pimps are congressman? Will there be any republicans left in Washington?

[shel3364]

String 'em up & let the public have their way with 'em.


I'm not usually much on vigilante justice, but these are the worst of the worst. Anyone who preys on or harms a child should get the absolute harshest punishment....

[janinius]

AGREED!

[leekinny]

When Al Franken was on Air America he used to bring up the subject of Saipan frequently. Impoverished women looking for a better way, conservatives would say trying to pick themselves up by their bootstraps, are lured to this US Commonwealth island, believing they'll have American freedom, only to find themselves in bondage to the sweat shop industry, forced abortions and lives imprisoned as sex slaves.

an excellent article from MS Magazine (a good must read)...
Paradise Lost
http://www.msmagazine.com/spring2006/paradise_full.asp

The issue of human trafficking is a global problem that also includes sweat shop work. Also, it's not just un-ethical, cheap-skate contractors who are to blame. It's anyone who purchases sweat shop products, those who take sex vacations or those who view pornography performed by sex slaves, and those who intentionally hide there heads in the sand refusing to see the guilt and shame of their own politicians and government policies.

from Amnesty International...
Human Trafficking
http://www.amnestyusa.org/artists-for-amnesty/human-trafficking/page.do?id=1121006

from Human Rights Watch...
Trafficking of Women and Girls
http://hrw.org/doc/?t=women_traffickingg

[munki]

end user should be punished...to the fullest extent...
no demand no supply...

[Amalek]

As long as there is the grand old party, there will be demand.

[LameDuckHunting]

That should pretty much clear out the RNC.

[Spesabsquemetu]

These agents should be commended for what has got to be physically, mentally and emotionally draining work, but invaluable to this nation in the protection of our children.

Who is watching out for our children?
They are.

Congress needs to step up to the plate and produce EQUALLY concerted efforts as the FBI is taking in protecting our children. Congress needs to hold itself accountable to practices of MEASURES that are looked at against GOALS and OBJECTIVES concerning WHAT they are doing to CHANGE the course of national disgrace that this country is on concerning the education of our children.

WHY are America's children being ALLOWED to FAIL / DROP OUT OF HIGH SCHOOL at rates - that in some cases, EXCEED 60% IN THIS NATION?

That is inexcusable as are these felons preying on our children, that the FBI is rounding up in staggering numbers.

The FBI deserves more than a pat on the back for this work.
They deserve fundamental supports and resources in eradicating this scourge upon our children.
So too do our children deserve the resources and fundamental supports that can affect change in their economic future, by Congress insuring that EVERY AMERICAN CHILD GRADUATES HIGH SCHOOL and has the chance to go to college.

[1differentdrummer]

Don't forget the kids who are kicked out of school. They aren't all law breakers.

[Joeblue]

since not sinse.

[Joeblue]

Was one of the arrested Poppy Bush? He's been involved sinse at least the Franklin Bank bust.

[DuPageDem]

Looks like Rush will have to head overseas for his next vacation.

[DarthVector]

One answer for this problem is legalizing adult prostitution in the USA, thus enabling it to be more readily regulated and taxed, and therefore ensuring that criminal elements cannot flourish.

Volstead Prohibition didn't work; neither does this prohibition.

[bpd1069]

Same can be done with some drugs.

[AverageWhiteMan]

Prostitution is legalized just outside of Las Vegas, so other communities can follow suit. San Fransciso is considering having it's authorities ignore prostitution.

[DarthVector]

Ignorance does not control organized criminal involvement. Nor does it provide the protections sex workers require. Only active government regulation can ensure prostitution operates as a minimally disruptive industry.

[Amalek]

Yeah, but we legalized religion and look what the hell happened.

[DarthVector]

Bring back temple prostitutes, you might relax some of those poor GOP nutjobs... ;^)

[DC]

How about legalizing slavery while we are at it. Like Prostitution the "profession" has been around just as long. Like Prostitution, slavery is still with us.

Legalize it and it will take slavery out of the hands of thugs and we can even tax the sale of slaves?

[DarthVector]

No one chooses to be a slave. Women and men choose to be prostitutes.

I am living in Melbourne, Australia at present, and there is fully legal government regulated prostitution here. It is all above board, taxed and respectable. Woman and men only work in the profession if they wish to, and must work in licensed facilities. Every sex worker has a personal registration with the government, to avoid criminal involvement.

Government agents regularly inspect brothels, and have wide powers to close suspected illegal operations. Those who have forced foreign workers into prostitution are prosecuted under anti-slavery human trafficking laws.

This system has operated well since the middle 1990's. It is uncontroversial to locals.

Sorry, but your grasp of the facts is ill-informed at best.

[sammdphd]

sounds like a good plan, but how many "prostitutes" would actually declare their income? Just like strippers right now...all cash!

[DarthVector]

See my reply to DC... it's in the way you register workers and regulate brothels.