Dozens of Kids Rescued from Prostitution Rings

Hundreds of people have been arrested and 21 children rescued in an FBI crackdown in 16 cities across the nation of prostitution rings. The five-day roundup of pimps who force children into prostitution called "Operation Cross Country" ended a five-year nationwide investigation.

The FBI said 345 people, including 290 adult prostitutes, were arrested during the operation.

"We together have no higher calling than to protect our children and to safeguard their innocence," FBI Director Robert Mueller said in a news conference. "Yet the sex trafficking of children remains one of the most violent and unforgivable crimes in this country."

Thrown-Away Children

Since the operation began, 308 pimps and prostitutes have been convicted of forcing children into prostitution. Mueller said 433 child victims have been rescued.

Ernie Allen, president of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, told The Associated Press that most of the children being exploited are runaways or thrown-aways, kids whose families have abandoned them.

"These kids are victims. This is 21st century slavery," Allen said. "They lack the ability to walk away."

The cities targeted in this week's sting included Atlanta; Boston; Dallas; Detroit; Houston; Las Vegas; Los Angeles; Miami; Montgomery County, Maryland; Oakland, California; Phoenix; Reno, Nevada; Sacramento, California; Tampa; Toledo, Ohio and Washington, D.C.

See Also:
345 Arrested, Kids Rescued in Prostitution Busts

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