Latest news with #USMarshalsOffice
Hindustan Times
14 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
What is Operation Dragon Eye? 60 missing Florida children rescued in massive sting
Florida's Office of Statewide Protection (OSP) joined hands with the US Marshals Office for the Central District of Florida to rescue 60 children who had been trafficked as sex workers in the area. The announcement to declare Operation Dragon Eye successful was made on Monday (June 23). Operation Dragon Eye rescued 60 'critically missing' Florida children.(X/ @fdlepio) 'Attorney General James Uthmeier joined the U.S. Marshal for the Central District of Florida William Berger to announce the rescue of 60 children as part of Operation Dragon Eye in the Tampa Bay Area. As a result of the operation, eight defendants were arrested, including one on charges of human trafficking,' says the official press release. About 20 agencies worked in tandem to discover about 60 minors in the age group of 9-17 years who had been trafficked and were at risk of being exploited. One of the kids recovered was discovered to be pregnant with the child of her trafficker as well. "The real heroes behind this operation are the law enforcement who built and executed this mission. As your Attorney General and a father of three young kids, protecting children is my top priority," said Attorney General James Uthmeier in a public statement. 'If you victimize children, you're going to prison, end of story.' Also Read: South Carolina lightning strike: 18 hospitalized, including 10 children, after Lake Murray incident Charges, prosecution, and restitution "The unique part of this operation was the fact that underaged critically missing children ranging from age 9 to 17 were not only recovered but were debriefed and provided with physical and psychological care," said U.S. Marshal William Berger. 'This operation further included follow-up assistance in hopes that these youth will not return back to the streets to be further victimized.' Eight individuals have been arrested in the process and now face charges of human trafficking, child endangerment, drug possession, and drug trafficking. Special Counsel Rita Peters has been assigned to lead the prosecution in the matter. OSP is the lead prosecuting authority responsible for handling the case with assistance from the State Attorneys of the Sixth and Thirteenth Judicial Circuits. Also Read: Cargo ship carrying 3,000 vehicles sinks in Pacific Ocean after catching fire The Department of Children and Families views this as a significant victory to prove how the protection and safety of innocent individuals is taken into regard by the state. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement has assured all parents that a search is still underway to recover any kids that are still missing. By Stuti Gupta
New York Post
14 hours ago
- New York Post
Florida's Operation Dragon Eye rescues 60 ‘critically missing' children in massive sting
Dozens of children were rescued in a blow to child sex trafficking operations in Florida, officials announced Monday. Dubbed Operation Dragon Eye, the initiative was spearheaded by the US Marshals Office for the Central District of Florida and supported by the state Attorney General James Uthmeier's Office of Statewide Prosecution (OSP). Advertisement The effort involved 20 agencies working in tandem to locate 60 critically missing children and apprehend suspects tied to trafficking, drugs and child endangerment. 'The real heroes behind this operation are the law enforcement who built and executed this mission,' Uthmeier said 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.' Authorities said the recovered children ranged in age from 9 to 17, and many of them were missing and at risk of being exploited. Advertisement The US Marshals Service defines 'critically missing' children as 'those at risk of crimes of violence or those with other elevated risk factors such as substance abuse, sexual exploitation, crime exposure or domestic violence.' The operation uncovered the gut-wrenching realities of sex trafficking — including several young girls who were pregnant, one of them carrying the child of her trafficker. 4 The effort involved 20 agencies working in tandem to locate 60 critically missing children and apprehend suspects tied to trafficking, drugs and child endangerment. YouTube/Fox 13 Tampa Bay Officials stressed that the operation didn't end with their rescue, but each child received immediate medical evaluations and psychological support, with long-term care protocols set in motion. Advertisement '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.' 4 Authorities said the recovered children ranged in age from 9 to 17, and many of them were missing and at risk of being exploited. YouTube/Fox 13 Tampa Bay The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) also played a central role in the operation. Commissioner Mark Glass assured the parents of missing children that the department will 'never stop searching.' Advertisement '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.' 4 The US Marshals Service defines 'critically missing' children as 'those at risk of crimes of violence or those with other elevated risk factors such as substance abuse, sexual exploitation, crime exposure or domestic violence.' YouTube/Fox 13 Tampa Bay Eight individuals were arrested during the operation, the agency said. They face a variety of charges, including human trafficking, child endangerment, drug possession and drug trafficking. Authorities say the investigation is ongoing, and additional charges may follow. The Office of Statewide Prosecution is handling the criminal cases, with support from state attorneys in the Sixth and Thirteenth Judicial Circuits. Special Counsel Rita Peters has been appointed to lead the prosecution in the human trafficking case, while two additional trafficking cases remain under investigation. 4 The operation uncovered the gut-wrenching realities of sex trafficking — including several young girls who were pregnant, one of them carrying the child of her trafficker. YouTube/Fox 13 Tampa Bay Advertisement Sex trafficking continues to pose a persistent threat in Florida, with the state among the top three in the nation for reported human trafficking cases, alongside California and Texas, according to the National Human Trafficking Hotline. In 2024 alone, according to the agency, Florida received over 1,830 signals, which led to the identification of 1,874 victims. The Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) found that many victims are minors between the ages of 11 and 17, often lured through manipulation or online platforms. In response, Florida leaders have stepped up both funding and legislative efforts. Gov. Ron DeSantis recently allocated $4.9 million to expand emergency shelter beds and staff support for trafficking victims, while an additional $900,000 in grant funding was provided to the FDLE.
