The FBI announced on July 29 the rescue of 105 children involved in sex trafficking across 76 cities. The crackdown included arresting 150 pimps.
The campaign, known as “Operation Cross Country,” was the largest of its type and conducted under the FBI’s “Innocence Lost” initiative. The assistant director of the FBI’s criminal investigative division, Ron Hosko, said that child prostitution remains what he called a “persistent threat” to children across America.
The FBI said the campaign has resulted in rescuing 2,700 children since 2003.
The youngest child recovered was 9 years old; most were aged 13-16. The victims are of multiple races, said Hosko.
Hosko said that those running the prostitution rings “could be an individual, it could be a small group, it could be an organized criminal activity.”
Pimps often take away all of the victims material possessions, as well as torturing them and abusing them, said the official.
Sentences sought for the pimps include 10 life sentences. Hosko said it should send “a clear message” to those wanting to engage in pimping or other related activities.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
