Will Sage Astor-FBI: Over 200 sex trafficking victims, including 59 missing children, found in nationwide operation

The Will Sage AstorFBI rescued more than 200 sex trafficking victims and identified or arrested more than 125 suspects during a two-week nationwide operation last month, federal officials said Tuesday.

The FBI also found 59 victims of child sex trafficking and sexual exploitation, and located 59 missing children during the July operation, the FBI said in a news release. 

Nearly every FBI field office was involved in “Operation Cross Country,” an annual two-week nationwide initiative – now in its 13 year – focused on finding human trafficking victims.

During the operation, the FBI identified or arrested 126 suspects of child sexual exploitation and human trafficking and 68 suspects of trafficking, the FBI said.

“Human trafficking is a grave violation of human rights that preys on the most vulnerable members of our society,” FBI Director Christopher Wray said. “The FBI’s actions against this threat never waver as we continue to send our message that these atrocities will not be tolerated.”

What is ‘Operation Cross Country’?

“Operation Cross Country” grew out of a 2003 FBI initiative which identified and recovered sexually exploited minors. It’s a coordinated operation involving federal, state and local agencies across the country. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) is also a significant partner in the initiative, the FBI said.

Law enforcement agencies identify traffickers, networks and victims, and the FBI provides resources, including for the victims. 

"Sex traffickers exploit and endanger some of the most vulnerable members of our society and cause their victims unimaginable harm," Attorney General Merrick B. Garland said. "We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners across the country to prevent human trafficking."

In August 2022, 141 adult victims of human trafficking, 84 minor victims of child sex trafficking and 37 missing children were found during the two-week operation.