A joint investigation by federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies in Southeast Georgia has resulted in the arrest of more than a dozen suspects involved in suspected sex trafficking operations. The investigation revealed a disturbing pattern of men willing to exploit children for sexual purposes, with some suspects entering the country illegally to participate in the trafficking ring.
A monthslong joint investigation by federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies into suspected sex trafficking in Southeast Georgia has led to the arrest of more than a dozen individuals. These individuals now face state charges, with many others facing federal charges. The investigation uncovered a disturbing reality: men were willing to pay substantial sums to sexually abuse children. Furthermore, authorities discovered that not all suspects were legally present in the country.
In one alarming case, a suspect was apprehended transporting an undocumented immigrant from Texas to Georgia with the intention of exploiting them as a sex worker.Footage obtained from St. Mary’s Police body cameras shows officers arresting multiple suspects who believed they were meeting teenage girls for sex. These arrests were part of undercover operations targeting sex trafficking in Camden County. The suspects primarily consisted of men willing to pay hundreds of dollars to engage in sexual acts with girls as young as 14. Undercover investigators posed as young teenage girls on an online platform known for escort and prostitution services.Tom Hackney, a News4JAX Crime and Safety Analyst and retired JSO Director of Investigations and Homeland Security, was not surprised by the swift response of potential sex trafficking customers to the decoy setup. He likened it to fishing, stating, “Once you place that lure in the water, almost instantly you have hits on your target.” Investigators reported that every arrested suspect had arranged to meet and pay for sex with a teenager at various public locations in Camden County, mainly in business parking lots. One case involved a suspect traveling two hours from Savannah, Georgia, in a $90,000 truck, carrying $3,600 in cash. The man reportedly offered to pay $200 per 15 minutes for sex with what he believed to be a child. However, upon arriving at a designated Pizza Hut parking lot, officers were waiting for him. Subsequent investigations revealed that the man was a Mexican immigrant residing in the U.S. illegally. Hackney commented, “That’s either very brazen or very stupid on this person’s part to travel a couple of hours to do this, which is illegal. You’re in the country illegally, and you know the risk of being deported almost instantaneously. It’s a little surprising they would be so brazen.”Another case involved a suspect from San Antonio, Texas, accused of transporting two illegal immigrants across the country. One of the immigrants was a woman who claimed to have paid money to enter the US illegally. Upon arriving in San Antonio, her cell phone was confiscated, and she was told she would be reunited with her husband in Florida. However, before reaching Florida, the driver demanded an additional $60 for the journey, which the woman claimed she did not possess. Investigators believe the driver and the other undocumented immigrant intended to take the woman to Atlanta to force her into sexual exploitation. Hackney explained, “This highlights how folks who put sex trafficking rings together will victimize anyone. Here’s a poor woman who thinks she’s coming to Florida to be reunited with her husband and chase the American dream, it turns into an American nightmare.” If you or someone you know is a victim of sex trafficking, help is available. You can contact your local police or call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 888-373-7888
HUMAN TRAFFICKING SEX TRAFFICKING GEORGIA ARRESTS INVESTIGATION UNDERCOVER OPERATIONS
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