FBI Jacksonville
Amanda Warford Videll
media.jacksonville@fbi.gov
August 15, 2022

FBI Jacksonville Announces Results of Operation Cross Country XII

Sex Trafficking Operation Included Support From 10 Partner Agencies

JACKSONVILLE, FL—The FBI Jacksonville Division, in partnership with state and local agencies, identified and located at least seven potential human trafficking victims, including one adolescent, during a nationwide effort dubbed “Operation Cross Country.” The FBI-led initiative focused on identifying and locating victims of sex trafficking and investigating and arresting individuals and criminal enterprises involved in both child sex and human trafficking.

Over the course of two weeks in August, FBI Jacksonville, with support from 10 law enforcement agencies across North Florida, arrested three subjects for investigation of human trafficking-related offenses, identified six adult potential human trafficking victims, and contacted another 46 individuals for further investigation to determine if they are being trafficked. In addition, in partnership with the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, the FBI Jacksonville Field Office recovered one at-risk minor who was reported missing from another state in early 2022. FBI Victim Specialists are working with local community organizations to assist any individual who was contacted throughout the operation, to include providing them with food and clothing, transportation, and locating shelter or housing.

“Human Trafficking is modern-day slavery, and it’s happening across this country, in communities of all sizes,” said Sherri E. Onks, special agent in charge of the FBI Jacksonville Division. “When human beings are treated as commodities, they are not only being abused physically, but emotionally and financially. The FBI and our law enforcement partners will continue throughout the year to collaborate at every level, to protect victims, especially innocent children, and disrupt and dismantle organizations responsible for this heinous, illegal activity.”

The FBI thanks the State Attorney’s Office, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, Alachua County Sheriff’s Office, Ocala Police Department, Bay County Sheriff’s Office, Panama City Beach Police Department, Panama City Police Department, Homeland Security Investigations, and Walton County Sheriff’s Office for their support of Operation Cross Country XII. Nationwide, more than 200 law enforcement and victim assistance organizations supported the operation. Additional information on the nationwide effort is available here.

Human Trafficking Resources:

B-roll from Operation Cross Country XII operations can be downloaded here: Operation Cross Country 2022 B-Roll — FBI. Note, this video was filmed outside of FBI Jacksonville territory.