Kansas City, Missouri: United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement announced on their website recently, the results of two anti-human trafficking operations that they conducted throughout the month of June in California and the Kansas/Missouri area.
The first operation took place between June 17 and June 26 in Wichita, Kansas and Independence and Kansas City, Missouri.
"The enforcement operation resulted in the arrest of 82 individuals who will be charged with crimes related to soliciting prostitution, commercial sex trafficking, sodomy, narcotics violations, felony assault on a police officer, sex offender registry violations and outstanding warrants."
During the course of their operation, 31 victims of "human trafficking for sexual exploitation" were rescued. Of those 14 were missing children, the youngest of which was four years old.
The second operation, named "Operation Stolen Hearts" took place in Fresno, California, and was described as a "multi-day operation to combat child exploitation and human trafficking" but listed only as June 23.
"During the operation, 10 women and girls were rescued from the sex trade while 21 arrests were made for multiple child exploitation related charges including: contacting a minor with intent to commit a sexual offense, aiding prostitution, arranging a meeting with a minor for lewd purposes and solicitation of acts of prostitution."
According to the release, "Operation Stolen Hearts focused on arresting human traffickers and the child predators seeking to pay for sex with minors."
"By working together," Law Enforcement Today quoted Special Agent in Charge Tatum King as saying, "we will continue to identify these dangerous offenders and bring them to justice. Our combined efforts are vital to protecting young people from these heinous individuals."