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FBI: Arrests made, victims rescued in AZ as part of nationwide sex trafficking sting

FBI: Arrests made, victims rescued in AZ as part of nationwide sex trafficking sting
Posted at 3:32 PM, Oct 18, 2017
and last updated 2017-10-18 18:32:39-04

Federal law enforcement authorities announced the arrest of more than 100 suspects and the recovery of more than 80 minors in a nationwide crackdown on underage human trafficking.

The effort, called Operation Cross Country XI, was conducted from October 12-15 and involved 55 field offices of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and 78 state and local task forces, according to an FBI news release.

Agents and other law enforcement officers staged operations in hotels, casinos, truck stops, and street corners, in addition to several Internet websites.

In Arizona, authorities rescued four juveniles and arrested seven alleged sex traffickers. Eighty-six adult victims were also contacted and offered support services, officials said. The youngest victim recovered during the operation was 3 months old, officials said. The average victim was 15.

Minors recovered during the operation receive support from state protective services and the FBI's Victim Services Division.