Dozens of teens across California and neighboring states were brought home safe after a massive human trafficking sting operation.
The Riverside County Sheriff’s Office’s Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force, together with the U.S. Marshals and other agencies, recovered 37 missing minors aged 14-17 during a human trafficking operation dubbed “Operation Safe Return.”
The youths rescued by the sheriff and federal agents were provided with victim services, medical support and resources to help them reunite with their families.
“We will never stop fighting to protect California children and bring them home,” California Attorney General Rob Bonta said in a statement announcing the operation.
Local law enforcement officers and federal agents arrested seven people during the intensive effort, which ran from March 2-6.
One of the suspects arrested faces federal charges for child sex trafficking and is under investigation by the Department of Homeland Security.
The Riverside Sheriff’s office said some of the minors rescued were victims of crimes ranging from child sex trafficking to sexual assault. The youths were located in areas across California, Arizona and Nevada.
In addition to the U.S. Marshals, the Riverside County Sheriff and police partnered with the California Highway Patrol, the Anaheim Police Department and LAPD on the effort.
During the operation, more than 50 minors between the ages of 14 and 17 were identified as missing, according to the Sheriff’s office. The teens targeted in the operation were missing for anywhere from one month to two years.
The Sherrif’s office dispatched officers and social workers to rescue the missing teens in areas including Riverside County, San Bernardino County, Orange County and Los Angeles.
On average, between 5,000 – 6,000 children run away from home or go missing each year in Riverside County alone, according to the Sheriff’s Office. A majority of those children return home shortly after leaving.
A total of 13 cases targeted in the operation remain open. Officials said the suspects who were arrested would remain unidentified, amid ongoing investigations.
In a statement, the Sheriff’s Office said it “remains committed to aggressively pursuing those who exploit children.”
