JACKSONVILLE, FL—The FBI Jacksonville Division, working with local, state, and federal law enforcement partners participated in a nationwide enforcement campaign in July called Operation Cross Country XIII (OCC). The FBI-led initiative, in partnership with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), focused on identifying and locating victims of sex trafficking and investigating and arresting individuals involved in child sex and human trafficking. Law enforcement agencies conducted targeted operations to identify and apprehend offenders, dismantle criminal networks, and prevent further harm to victims.

OCC XIII achieved significant milestones in recovering victims and apprehending offenders. Nationwide, the FBI helped locate over 200 victims of sex trafficking, as well as identify and arrest 126 individuals for child sexual exploitation or human trafficking offenses. Locally, the FBI Jacksonville Division worked with representatives from 17 local, state, and federal agencies to recover two child victims of trafficking, two adult victims of trafficking, and arrest 16 individuals for traveling to meet with a minor. In addition, two more missing children were located.

“Sex trafficking and child exploitation are among the most horrific crimes the FBI investigates, which is why we pursue bad actors so aggressively,” said Sherri E. Onks, special agent in charge of FBI Jacksonville. “Each year Operation Cross Country sends a powerful message that exploiting others will not be tolerated by the FBI and with the help of our partners these offenders will be caught.”

The FBI remains steadfast in its commitment to combating child exploitation and human trafficking. Operation Cross Country is just one facet of the FBI’s ongoing efforts to protect the most vulnerable members of society and hold offenders accountable. The FBI encourages continued vigilance and help from the public to identify and recover victims and bring perpetrators to justice. Tips can be reported to 1-800-CALL-FBI or https://tips.fbi.gov.

Participating Agencies (in no particular order): Nassau County Sheriff’s Office, Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, Marion County Sheriff’s Office, Ocala Police Department, Air Force Office of Special Investigations, Bay County Sheriff’s Office, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations, Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, Lynn Haven Police Department, Panama City Police Department, Panama City Beach Police Department, U.S. Marshals Service, Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, Florida Department of Children and Families, Naval Criminal Investigative Services and multiple Florida State Attorney’s Offices.

Note: B-roll from Operation Cross Country XII (2022) is available to downloaded here.