Atlanta FBI, law enforcement explain role in sex trafficking investigation that rescued dozens of kids
FBI and local law-enforcement agency officials discuss sex trafficking investigation "Operation Cross Country"
"Operation Cross Country" was an investigation that FBI officials say rescued dozens of children from sex trafficking. FBI Atlanta Special Agent Keri Farley and other local law enforcement officials came together during a press conference on Tuesday to provide more details regarding the operation and how local agencies played a role in nationally locating "84 minor victims" overall.
CHAMBLEE, Ga. - FBI Atlanta played a major role in the recent "Operation Cross Country," an investigation that rescued more than 80 children from sex trafficking.
"Operation Cross Country" was responsible for locating 84 minor victims of child sex trafficking and sexual exploitation offenses, 141 adults of human trafficking were located, and 37 actively missing children. The average age of the children were just over 15 years old with the youngest being 11-years-old. One hundred forty-one adult victims of human trafficking were also located.
It was reported that officers from Dunwoody, Cobb County, Atlanta, Atlanta Public Schools, Gwinnett County Schools, and Cobb County Schools as well as deputies from Fulton and Carroll counties played some part in the operation overall.
Special Agent in Charge Keri Farley with the FBI Atlanta Bureau provide local statistics and explain the roles of law enforcement officials from different metro Atlanta jurisdictions during a press conference on Tuesday.
FBI Atlanta update on 'Operation Cross Country'
FBI Atlanta Special Agent in Charge Keri Farley gave updates on 'Operation Cross Country' and thanked law enforcement officials from different jurisdictions on their roles of assisting in the rescue of more than 80 children from a national sex trafficking ring.
Farley reported local statistics from the operation stating that 28 child victims were located in the last two weeks. Of that, nine children were commercially exploited and four human trafficking suspects were arrested. Additionally, 18 actively missing children were located.
Farley took the time to point out and thank Atlanta Police Department Interim Assistant Chief Carven Tyus, Dunwoody Chief of Police Billy Grogan, Cobb County Special Victims Unit Lt. Brown, and Fulton County Chief Deputy Antonio Johnson.
"In Cobb County and the city of Dunwoody, Numerous offenders were apprehended after detectives conducted online exploitation investigation seeking offenders who go online for the purpose of finding and meeting underage victims," Lt. Brown said.
While authorities could not go into detail regarding how the operation played out, they provided a description of what steps offenders take to capture a child for the use of sex trafficking and the next steps taken to ensure the victims feel safe again.
Atlanta FBI agents participate in Operation Cross Country
More than 80 children were identified and located in a national sex trafficking ring this month in "Operation Cross Country," the FBI announced Monday. The agency said the 84 minors were victims of child sex trafficking and child sexual exploitation and 37 of them were actively missing children. The average age of the victim was 15.5 years old with the youngest being 11, according to agents.
"Most of the suspects we've identified are using dating apps and websites all over the internet. A lot of them use encrypted websites, which makes it hard for us to track. Through our efforts we are able to track them down." Farley said.
For the victims, Farley said that Victim Resource Specialists came in to provide necessities from education, housing, and reconnecting with family members.