ATLANTA—The FBI is announcing the results of an 11-day effort by the Violent Crimes Against Children/Human Trafficking Program and Metro Atlanta Child Exploitation (MATCH) Task Force. The effort, leading up to Super Bowl LIII, was collaborated with over 25 local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies and District Attorney’s Offices, along with 7 non-government organizations.

From January 23, 2019 to February 2, 2019, the operation’s goal was to raise awareness about sex trafficking by proactively addressing that threat during the Super Bowl and events leading up to the Super Bowl. Sex trafficking is not just a problem during large scale events—it is a 365 day-a-year problem in communities all across the country.

Results:

• 169 arrests, including 26 traffickers and 34 individuals attempting to engage in sex acts with minors
• 9 juvenile sex trafficking victims recovered (youngest was 14 years of age)
• 9 adult human trafficking victims identified

The FBI would like to thank its many partners who contributed to the effort’s success:

MATCH Task Force agencies: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), U.S. Attorney’s Office Northern District of Georgia, Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI), Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice, Atlanta Police Department, Alpharetta Police Department, Clayton County Police Department, Cobb County Police Department, DeKalb County Police Department, Dunwoody Police Department, Brookhaven Police Department, Gwinnett County Police Department, Marietta Police Department, Smyrna Police Department

Other law enforcement agencies: Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Fulton County Sheriff's Office, North Metro SWAT Team, Johns Creek-Alpharetta-Forsyth (JCAF) Task Force, Clayton County Sheriff Office, Douglas County Sheriff Office, Douglasville Police Department, Coweta County Sheriff's Office, Roswell Police Department, Fulton County Schools Police Department, Fulton County Police Department, Georgia Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force

Non-Government agencies: Georgia Department of Family and Children Services, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta (CHOA), Georgia Cares, 4Sarah, Out of Darkness, Street Grace, National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, In Our Backyard