Latest news with #OperationDragonEye
Miami Herald
2 days ago
- Miami Herald
60 kids rescued in a Tampa Bay human trafficking bust, Florida officials say
Dozens of missing children were rescued and eight people arrested following a human trafficking bust in Central Florida earlier this week, according to Florida officials. Held hostage: 60 Tampa Bay area kids, aged 9 to 17 years old, said U.S. Marshal William Berger. Dubbed 'Operation Dragon Eye,' the mission saw 20 agencies across federal, state and nonprofit sectors come together in what they're calling the 'largest child rescue operation in United States history.' 'In a two-week period, this team, a collective work of many agencies and law enforcement personnel, rescued 60 kids, kids that were in critical danger, many the victims of trafficking, many missing kids,' Uthmeier said at a news conference Monday night. 'We got a lot of people up here, and that's because it took a lot of people to get this done.' Eight people were arrested — five men, two women, one unidentified — in connection with running the trafficking ring and face charges including human trafficking, child endangerment, drug possession and drug trafficking. Mugshots of the 'leeches,' as Berger called them, were shown on a screen at the briefing below blurred photos of the victims. According to Redefining Refuge, a nonprofit that combats child sex trafficking, some of the kids were found pregnant and hooked on drugs. 'One such child, a girl, you know, barely beginning her own life, and yet she was carrying a life inside of her. The baby, actually, of her trafficker,' said Natasha Nascimento, the organization's founder and executive director. 'This child was forced to use substances by her trafficker throughout her pregnancy, and so a baby gets to be born addiction free, a baby gets to be born to a mom who's not being sold every day, and a baby gets to have a story that doesn't start with trauma.' Now free, the kids are receiving the physical and emotional care needed to 'support each child, both immediately and in their journey ahead,' assured Taylor Hatch, secretary of the Florida Department of Children and Families. 'I promised several months ago, we're going to go after every child predator we can find,' said Uthmeier. 'If you want to prey on our kids, we will hunt you down. We will get you in this state, there's no tolerance for human trafficking.'
Hindustan Times
3 days 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
3 days 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.
USA Today
3 days ago
- USA Today
US Marshals Service operation recovers 60 missing children in Florida
A massive investigation into child sex trafficking resulted in the rescue of 60 "critically missing" children in the Tampa Bay area, Florida State Attorney James Uthmeier announced with other officials at a news conference on June 23. "Operation Dragon Eye" was led by the U.S. Marshals Service Middle District of Florida and involved 20 agencies, state officials said. Eight people were arrested, with charges ranging from human trafficking, child endangerment, drug possession, and drug trafficking. The investigation was focused on recovering or safely locating "critically missing" children in Hillsborough, Pinellas and Pasco counties. The children's ages ranged from 9 to 17, officials said. "I have to curtail my enthusiasm because of the sensitivity of the victims involved in this operation, but the successful recovery of 60 missing children, complemented with the arrest of eight individuals, including child predators, signifies the most successful missing child recovery effort in the history of the United States Marshals Service; or to my knowledge, any other similar operation held in the United States," said William Berger, U.S. Marshal for the Middle District of Florida. "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," Uthmeier said. "If you victimize children, you're going to prison, end of story." What is Operation Dragon Eye? Operation Dragon Eye was a two-week initiative "geared to recover or safely locate the most critically missing youth," the U.S. Marshals Service said in a release. According to Uthmeier, 17 boys and 43 girls were recovered in the two-week targeted operation. The operation had three primary objectives: "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," Berger said. "This operation further included follow-up assistance in hopes that these youth will not return to the streets to be further victimized.' These kids were missing for years. Why experts say parental abductions need attention. What are 'critically missing children'? The 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." Operation Dragon Eye was the product of "a multidisciplinary task force of federal, state, and local government agencies, as well as social service entities, the medical community, and non-governmental organizations," the Marshals Service said in a released statement. The other agencies included the Florida Attorney General's Office, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Florida Department of Children and Families, Florida Department of Juvenile Justice, Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office, Pasco Sherriff's Office, Pinellas County Sheriff's Office, St. Petersburg Police Department, Tampa Police Department, BayCare, Bridging Freedom, Bridges of Hope, Children's Home Network, Children's Network of Hillsborough County, Family Support Services Pasco Pinellas Counties, More Too Life, National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, and Redefining Refuge. 'Working tirelessly to help make sure that every child has a safe childhood' Since the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act was passed in 2015, the Marshals Service has located or recovered nearly 4,000 missing children. The Marshals Service located or recovered missing children in 66% of the cases it received, according to a released statement. Of those recovered, 61% were found within seven days. In 2024, 200 missing children were found as part of a nationwide operation called "Operation We Will Find You 2," conducted May 20 to June 24 by the Marshals Service and other federal, state, and local agencies across the United States. The 2024 operation, conducted with help from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, recovered and removed 123 children from dangerous situations, the Marshals Service said at the time. The other 77 missing children were located and found to be in safe locations, according to law enforcement or child welfare agencies. Callahan Walsh, executive director of the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, applauded the agencies that collaborated in Operation DRAGON EYE to help protect children. "We're proud to have supported the U.S. Marshals Service and our partners in Florida to recover these missing children and provide critical support to those who need it most," Walsh said in a statement. "NCMEC is honored to stand alongside these teams and will continue working tirelessly to help make sure that every child has a safe childhood." Contributing: Mike Snider, USA TODAY
Sky News AU
4 days ago
- Sky News AU
Florida's Operation Dragon Eye rescues dozens of ‘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 U.S. Marshals Office for the Central District of Florida and supported by the state Attorney General James Uthmeier's Office of Statewide Prosecution (OSP). 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. The U.S. 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. 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. "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 U.S. 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." 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." "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." 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. 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. "Florida is being proactive about stopping human trafficking," DeSantis previously said. "Though our open southern border invites criminal activity like human trafficking, states can combat it with stronger penalties and increased training for emergency personnel to recognize and respond to trafficking, and today I was pleased to institute those measures in Florida." State lawmakers have also passed legislation to increase penalties for traffickers and mandate trafficking-awareness training for hotel workers, healthcare providers and school staff. Fox News Digital has reached out to Uthmeier's office for comment. Originally published as Florida's Operation Dragon Eye rescues dozens of 'critically missing' children in massive sting
