Human Trafficking Suspect Arrested In Pelham

PELHAM, AL - The Federal Bureau of Investigation, along with the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC), announced last week that 84 minors were recovered and 120 traffickers arrested as part of Operation Cross Country XI, a nationwide effort focused on underage human trafficking that ran from Oct. 12-15. The investigation, which garnered national headlines, had a connection to the city of Pelham.

Antonio Key Jr., 32, of Fairburn, Georgia, was arrested Thursday, Oct. 19, at a hotel in Pelham, according to Pelham Det. Brad Jordan. Key is charged with second-degree human trafficking, third-degree promoting of prostitution and second-degree possession of marijuana. Key was released from the Shelby County Jail on Saturday, Oct. 21 on $20,000 bond. (For more updates on this story and free news alerts for your neighborhood, sign up for your local Birmingham Patch morning newsletter.)

According to the Pelham Reporter, Key allegedly transported a female victim across state lines for the purpose of having the victim meet individuals to perform sexual acts in exchange for money. Key is set to appear before Shelby County District Court Judge Daniel Crowson on Jan. 9, 2018, for a preliminary hearing.

This is the 11 th iteration of the FBI-led Operation Cross Country (OCC), which took place this year in 55 FBI field offices and involved 78 state and local task forces consisting of hundreds of law enforcement partners. This year’s coordinated operations worked with several international partners, including Canada (Operation Northern Spotlight), the United Kingdom (Aident 8), Thailand, Cambodia and the Philippines.

“We at the FBI have no greater mission than to protect our nation’s children from harm. Unfortunately, the number of traffickers arrested—and the number of children recovered—reinforces why we need to continue to do this important work,” said FBI Director Christopher Wray. “This operation isn't just about taking traffickers off the street. It's about making sure we offer help and a way out to these young victims who
find themselves caught in a vicious cycle of abuse."

Photo from Shelby County Jail