15-Year-Old Long Island Girl Rescued From Sex Trafficking: FBI

A 15-year-old Long Island girl was rescued from human sex trafficking during a recent FBI investigation.

Between Oct. 12 and Oct. 15, as part of “Operation Cross Country XI," law enforcement officials recovered underage victims of human sex trafficking across the New York City metro area.

In addition to the Long Island teen, a 17-year- old White Plains, New York, girl was also rescued. Both were returned to their guardians.

Six suspects involved with facilitating sex trafficking were arrested during the investigation. The FBI and NYPD also arrested two men for attempting to exchange money and gifts for sex with a minor and 14 men who sought to exchange money for sex with an adult.

“As a father, it is hard to comprehend why anyone looks at a child and sees a method to make money, let alone selling them from sex," FBI New York Assistant Director William F. Sweeney said in a press release. "These pimps arrested in this operation, and the cases we investigate each and every day, force these girls into an ugly and demeaning life they don’t understand and can’t escape."

During the operation, investigators encountered 28 women, who were offered assistance.

The FBI NY Victims Specialists are working with many community, state and federal agencies to get the victims recovered and access to any assistance they may need by providing safe shelter, food, clothing and access to physical and mental health care or other needed services.

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