Massive Sex-Trafficking Crackdown Leads To Kids Rescued In NJ: FBI

NEW JERSEY — Eighty-five suspects face charges for human trafficking and child sexual exploitation — some of which took place in New Jersey — the FBI announced Monday. Law enforcement rescued 225 victims around the nation, including 84 children, during "Operation Cross Country," according to authorities.

The nationwide crackdown focused on finding victims of sex trafficking and arresting individuals and criminal enterprises involved, the FBI said. Federal authorities, their state and local partners, and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children conducted 391 operations in the first two weeks of August.

New Jersey authorities identified and/or located five adolescent victims during operations that ran from Aug. 4-7 and Thursday through Sunday. FBI agents from the Newark Division worked with New Jersey State Police, the Morris County Prosecutor's Office and police departments in Newark, Jersey City, Morris Township and Bloomfield.

"Human trafficking is among the most heinous crimes the FBI encounters," said FBI Director Christopher Wray. "Unfortunately, such crimes — against both adults and children — are far more common than most people realize."

The average age of victims located during the operation was 15.5, while the youngest victim was 11 years old, according to the FBI. Thirty-seven of the children were actively missing.

The FBI didn't publicly identify any of the suspects but said they're subject to additional investigation for potential charges.