About 148 people were arrested in an operation targeting human traffickers, the sheriff of Hillsborough County, Florida, said on Aug. 20.
The operation resulted in two 17-year-old girls and five adult women being freed. They are recovering with the help of organizations formed to help trafficking victims.
The sheriff’s office has human trafficking specialists, but for the operation, which started on April 29 and lasted 102 days, the department increased the manpower dedicated to targeting human traffickers.
“As we approached the summer months, we wanted to do even more. We know children are out of school, they have more free time, they’re going to be spending more time on the internet,” Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister said. “We wanted to make sure we were being extremely proactive, to make sure that no one fell victim to human trafficking for those who wanted to prey on them.”
The operation involved scouring the regular internet and the dark web in addition to on-the-ground patrols at hotels, massage parlors, and other locations where trafficking has been known to occur.
Chronister said the large number of arrests is concerning; he highlighted a 33-year-old man who allegedly traveled from Alabama and engaged with someone who he thought was a 15-year-old girl but was actually an undercover detective. That man allegedly planned to have women perform sex acts for money and keep most of the money for himself, the sheriff said.
Another man allegedly trafficked a 17-year-old girl who was living at home with her mother, who did not know about the abuse, according to authorities. He is alleged to have posted explicit images of the girl online, arranged for her to go on dates, and collected money from the encounters. That man will face federal charges, including sex trafficking of a child, and could be sentenced to life in prison.
“Human trafficking not only robs people of their freedom, it also robs people of their dignity. This crime is on the rise across this nation, and our local law enforcement community is doing our part to take a stand to protect victims,” State Attorney Susan Lopez said.
Many trafficking cases are difficult to prosecute without victims being willing to provide information, she said.
“I am in awe of the brave victims who tell their story to help prosecute traffickers so we in the criminal justice system can hold them accountable,” Lopez said. “I want victims of human trafficking to know we stand with you. The state attorney’s office here in Hillsborough County will vigorously prosecute anyone responsible for these horrific crimes.”
Those arrested include a firefighter.
“No one is above the law, and you will be held accountable and prosecuted here in Hillsborough County,” Chronister said.
