FBI Arrests 150 Pimps, Rescue 105 Child Sex Workers In Nationwide Sting [VIDEO]

A weekend-long nationwide FBI sweep operation resulted in the arrest of 150 pimps and other individuals related to child sex trafficking, and the rescue and recovery of 105 victims.

Titled “Operation Cross Country,” the sting took place in 76 cities and was aided by local, state and federal law enforcement agencies.

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The operation was part of the FBI's “Innocence Lost National Initiative,” which was launched in partnership with the Department of Justice Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section and the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children in 2003.In a press release, Bureau officials spoke on the sting and its impact.

 From Ron Hosko, assistant director of the FBI's Criminal Investigative Division:

Child prostitution remains a persistent threat to children across America. This operation serves as a reminder that these abhorrent crimes can happen anywhere and that the FBI remains committed to stopping this cycle of victimization and holding the criminals who profit from this exploitation accountable. 

The FBI has recovered more than 2,700 sexually exploited children since the launch of the Innocence Lost program. For Operation Cross Country VII, 47 FBI divisions were on board along with 3,900 state and local officers which represented a total 230 agencies.
Watch video of Operation Cross Country 7 and the FBI's efforts below.