In a significant development, authorities revealed on Monday that numerous children have been saved, delivering a major setback to child sex trafficking networks in Florida.
Launched under the name Operation Dragon Eye, this initiative was led by the US Marshals Office for the Central District of Florida, with backing from the state Attorney General James Uthmeier’s Office of Statewide Prosecution (OSP).
In a coordinated operation, 20 agencies joined forces to find 60 children who were critically missing and to arrest individuals connected to trafficking, drug offenses, and child endangerment.
“The true champions of this operation are the law enforcement officials who meticulously crafted and carried out this mission,” Uthmeier stated in a release.
“As your Attorney General and a father of three young kids, protecting children is my top priority. If you victimize children, you’re going to prison, end of story.”
Officials reported that the children found were between the ages of 9 and 17, with numerous individuals previously unaccounted for and vulnerable to exploitation.
The US Marshals Service categorizes “critically missing” children as those who are at heightened risk of violent crimes or face other serious threats, including substance abuse, sexual exploitation, exposure to crime, or domestic violence.
The operation revealed the harrowing truths of sex trafficking, highlighting several young girls who were pregnant, with one carrying the child of her trafficker.
Authorities emphasized that the mission extended beyond the rescue, as every child underwent prompt medical assessments and received psychological assistance, with plans for ongoing care already initiated.
“The unique part of this operation was the fact that underaged critically missing children were not only recovered but were debriefed and provided with physical and psychological care,” said US Marshal William Berger.
“This operation further included follow-up assistance in hopes that these youths will not return back to the streets to be further victimized.”
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) was pivotal in the operation. Commissioner Mark Glass has pledged to parents of missing children that the department will continue its relentless search efforts.
“Sixty kids saved. That number sends the message that Florida will never be a safe place for traffickers,” Glass said.
“At FDLE, we will continue to fight for those who cannot fight for themselves. And to any family still missing their child, we will never stop searching until we make sure they are brought home safely.”
During the operation, authorities reported the arrest of eight individuals.
A range of serious allegations has been leveled against them, encompassing human trafficking, child endangerment, drug possession, and drug trafficking. Officials report that the inquiry is still active, with the possibility of further charges to come.
The Office of Statewide Prosecution is taking charge of the criminal cases, receiving assistance from state attorneys in the Sixth and Thirteenth Judicial Circuits.
Special Counsel Rita Peters takes the helm in the prosecution of a significant human trafficking case, as two more trafficking investigations continue to unfold.
