12 minors rescued from sex trafficking over weekend in FBI raids across Michigan
DETROIT (WJBK) - In the span of 3 days, the FBI and local authorities across the country say they saved 84 minors from sex trafficking and arrested 120 sex traffickers as part of a nationwide effort to stop underage human trafficking.
The FBI said in a press release on Wednesday that the nationwide effort dubbed 'Operation Cross Country XI' led to the recovery of 84 minors over the weekend of October 12, 13, 14, and 15th.
According to the FBI press release, 12 children were recovered in Michigan alone and eight sex traffickers or pimps were arrested. They also said they arrested 46 adults who they say were involved in prostitution.
The youngest victim in the nationwide operation was just 3 months old.
Officers staged operations in hotels, casinos, truck stops, and internet sites.
Minors recovered were offered assistance from state protective services and the FBI, as well as medical or mental treatment, if needed.
The following departments were involved in the arrests:
Federal Bureau of Investigation
Michigan State Police
Detroit Police Department
Warren Police Department
Canton Police Department
Romulus Police Department
Huron Township Police Department
Roseville Police Department
Southfield Police Department
Livonia Police Department
Dearborn Police Department
Madison Heights Police Department
Internal Revenue Service
Homeland Security Investigations
Michigan State Police
Flint Police Department
Flint Township Police Department
Grand Blanc Township Police Department
Saginaw Police Department
Saginaw County Sheriff’s Office
Saginaw Township Police Department
Internal Revenue Service
Mott Community College PD
Carrollton Township Police Department
“We at the FBI have no greater mission than to protect our nation’s children from harm. Unfortunately, the number of traffickers arrested-and the number of children recovered-reinforces why we need to continue to do this important work,” said FBI Director Christopher Wray. “This operation isn't just about taking traffickers off the street. It's about making sure we offer help and a way out to these young victims who find themselves caught in a vicious cycle of abuse."
Officials credited local, state, and federal partners for their work that led to the arrests.
“While the recovery of exploited juvenile victims remains our priority, the FBI will continue to work tirelessly to rescue anyone being commercially trafficked and exploited," said David P. Gelios, Special Agent in Charge, Detroit Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Operation Cross Country started in 2003 and has led to more than 6,500 child identifications and locations.