Kennesaw Police Participates in National Child Sex Trafficking Crackdown

The Kennesaw Police Department was one of several local law enforcement agencies that recently participated in an international child sex trafficking crackdown.

According to the FBI, Operation Cross Country X rescued 82 minors and arrested 239 people suspected of participating in underage human trafficking from Oct. 13-15, 2016.

This is the 10th such FBI-led initiative which took place across the United States and, for the first time, in several countries around the world, including Cambodia, Canada, The Philippines and Thailand.

The Marietta Police Department arrested two people on pimping charges, Tory Collins, 33, and Sydney Sheffield, 19. The Smyrna and Cobb County police departments also participated in the effort.

“Operation Cross Country aims to shine a spotlight into the darkest corners of our society that seeks to prey on the most vulnerable of our population,” said FBI Director James Comey. “As part of this effort, we are not only looking to root out those who engage in the trafficking of minors, but, through our Office of Victim Assistance, we offer a lifeline to minors to help them escape a from a virtual prison no person ever deserves.”

Operations took place in a number of locations, including hotels, truck stops, and street corners. Minors recovered during an arrest are engaged with state protective services, and victim assistance. Depending on the level of need, a law enforcement officer and, if available, an FBI Victim Specialist will accompany the survivor to obtain these services. Any adult arrested pursuant to state charges will be processed by state and local law enforcement partners assisting in Operation Cross Country.

Operation Cross Country X is the largest ever in the history of the initiative, with 55 FBI field offices and 71 state and local task forces taking part in the operation in 106 cities across America.

Operation Cross Country X is part of the FBI’s Innocence Lost Initiative, which began in 2003. Since it began, there have been more than 6100 child identifications and locations.

Image: FBI