FBI rescues 168 child prostitutes, nabs 281 pimps, in weeklong sting
On Monday, the FBI announced the results of its most recent nationwide child prostitution sweep, Operation Cross Country. Here are the main numbers: Last week, in 106 U.S. cities, the FBI and local law enforcement recovered 168 juvenile sex-trafficking victims and arrested 281 alleged pimps, the bureau said. Over the course of the eight child prostitution stings since 2003, the FBI added, about 3,600 sexually exploited minors have been rescued, 1,450 people convicted, and more than $3 million in assets seized.
"These are not children living in some faraway place, far from everyday life," said FBI Director James Comey. "These are our children. On our streets. Our truck stops. Our motels. These are America's children." They were found in these 106 cities:
Comey said that a lot of the minors are being pimped online these days. To understand how child prostitution starts and works — and, in good cases, ends — the FBI shared this video of Nicole, who was lured into a life of prostitution at age 17:
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