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

[Susej]

I wish I've never read this article. Now I feel sick in my stomach.

[RJII]

castration, hard labor, hands and feet removed, more hard labor, then the needle.

[truthFORauthorityNOTaft]

I am so glad they got caught!
These children deserve better and will hopefully be fully rehabilitated.

However, I think it is the wrong policy with the 518 adult prostitutes that will get jailed/criminal record etc. It will make it harder for them to resume a normal life. These young people might themselves have been child slaves. We should not punish them for being exploited, but rather offer them a helping hand. That way more of these s.e.x. slaves can themselves come forward to the police and incriminate their pimps.

[Alaskan99577]

The Swedish law that criminalizes hiring a prostitute but not being a prostitute makes sense. They recognize that very often the prostitute is the vistim, not the criminal. The guys hiring them know what they are doing and are committing the crime.

[onthevirg]

Once this campaign is concluded, I'd love to redirect my resource$ to eliminating the exploitation of children for sex & violence (war). These are our children (of the USA & of the world).

[rockyersocksoff]

www.protect.org

[brooklyncitizen]

IT's great news that they were caught...wish we spent more resource$ on the exploitation of children...however this issue wouldn't be possible without the "demand".

[venice6]

I hold John McCain and Sarah Palin responsible for their part holding hate rallies, and race baiting... just disgusting, low class, pandering republican candidates...

[TLV]

A place of comfort and trust for just these kinds of victims was what the State Trooper, Monegan, was fired for trying to raise funds for.

Sarah Palin said he was overstepping the budge limits, but she was really trying to fire him for NOT firing her former brother in law.

[Mort]

The needle is too good for these b@st@rds

[dsmom]

Publish the names of the crooks and the johns

[WFV]

My husband ridicules me for being so protective of our son, but even in 'safe' environments, the creeps are lingering. Remember how fun Halloween used to be? Remember getting to go off alone and be home by dark? No longer an option for our kids.

[lmo913]

I can't help but wonder if we are more protective not because the world is less safe, but because we know more. When we were kids, there likely were the same dangers lurking in the dark, we just didn't know about them. Of course, changing technology has enabled the development of a community that normalizes such behavior, so more people may be offending. Still, I wonder if we are nostalgic for a time that never was.

[movingtoengland]

You are not being too protective....I just met this girl....

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/story?id=3742297&page=1

[BlueZoo]

As parents of a son, you need to fully understand how boys are in just as much danger as girls when it comes to this horrific crime. (My son was approached while going to school on a subway.) Our children need to know what to do in these situations and education is paramount. Unless your son is fully educated on these circumstances, he can fall prey to one of these abusers. Just saying "never take candy from a stranger" is totally inadequate. They must know WHY they shouldn't take anything from a stranger or even talk with a stranger! His father is the ideal educator but, if his dad won't come up to the plate, you must!

[Brightlight]

Please PUBLISH the arrested!!

[reggieb]

death penalty

[Susej]

As an advocate against the death penalty, I suggest introducing them to the other end of ***** abuse in jail.

[Hans Meiser]

The only problem being when they get out of jail, they'll commit even worse crimes.
No really, just kill a person of that caliber.

[lmo913]

Really? Is this really where we want to go? I think most of us are wary of the death penalty, knowing how it is disproportionately applied to the poor and non-white. Do we eschew such values because children are involved? It seems to be the rhetorical trope invoked whenever we imagine the most dangerous. "Child molester" is akin "terrorist," and we seem to believe that we can deny civil rights in these instances.

I know first hand how horrifying these crimes can be. But I still can't imagine, personally, supporting the death penalty. Even in these most horrible of crimes, I can't support the state's right to kill.

[SeattleCharles]

Yeah, the people on this site are pretty bloodthirsty, for "liberals." What's going on there?

[Mort]

I've heard there's a special place in hell reserved for child molesters, but most of us would like to see justice now. Arranging for them to meet their maker soon is warranted in cases like these.

[Querent]

Child molesters would probably be less tormented in Hell than in prison.

[kto810]

I work in the child welfare field and I can tell you this happens all of the time - educate your children and if you believe a child is at risk please call your local department of social services and ALL states have an 800 number - most can be found in the front of the phone book - better a mistake then a life destroyed

[Mort]

I was asked to watch and report on someone by the state. After all the reports of abuse and neglect, they did absolutely nothing. Years later my daughter was one of a dozen girls abused by a neighbor. He got less than a month in jail.

While I agree with you about wanting to protect children by reporting abuse, I don't trust a phone call to the system. We have to get active to make a difference. Kids need our best efforts.

[primeelite]

Great to see that this ring was busted. I think there is a real naivety in the United States on many issues such as this that "it doesn't happen here". It seems child prostitution has become a large problem recently along with just other human trafficking especially across the Mexican border. All people found guilty should be punished to the fullest extent of the law even if it is their first offense of any kind. Those who participate in this stuff aren't going to be rehabilitated by prison so lock them up and keep them off our streets.
- - - -
http://www.sumcontent.com

[fredamae]

Thank you to the FBI. Job well done!

my own are just a bit safer tonight.
fm