JACKSONVILLE, FL—Lawrence P. Borghini, a special agent (SA) with the FBI Jacksonville Division, has been selected as the recipient of the FBI’s Civil Rights Program Award, in recognition of his outstanding efforts to dismantle a criminal human trafficking organization that was operating throughout the southeast United States. The award, presented once annually, highlights exemplary work in civil rights investigations. Special Agent in Charge (SAC) Charles P. Spencer and officials from the Civil Rights Unit at FBI Headquarters presented SA Borghini with the award during a private ceremony held at the FBI Jacksonville field office on Wednesday.

The three-year investigation began in June of 2013, when an adult female victim was kidnapped from her Panama City Beach home by two unknown males. The victim later escaped her captors and alerted law enforcement in Mississippi. SA Borghini identified, located, and arrested one of the captors, Jacobo Feliciano-Fransisco, and determined he was a member of a human trafficking organization. The victim had been targeted for her prior cooperation with law enforcement in a case that resulted in the arrest and deportation of 13 organization members. Feliciano-Fransisco was convicted and sentenced to life in prison. Still, SA Borghini continued his investigation and identified additional organization members who were actively operating brothels in Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia, Louisiana, and Texas. As a result of SA Borghini’s efforts, the organization was dismantled following the arrests and convictions of an additional eight subjects for commercial sex trafficking, including five leaders of the organization.

“Human trafficking is modern day slavery – a heinous crime that the FBI is committed to helping end in our communities,” said SAC Spencer. “As this investigation shows, Special Agent Larry Borghini works tirelessly to identify these criminals, and disrupt their efforts to exploit others. His dedication, commitment, and professionalism are respected among our law enforcement partners, and we are proud to have him working with us to protect northeast Florida.”

SA Borghini is a 22-year veteran of the FBI, and is assigned to the FBI Panama City resident agency. He has served residents of the Florida panhandle for five years.