150 arrested, 105 children rescued from prostitution ring

Kevin Johnson, USA TODAY 12:24 p.m. EDT July 29, 2013


Federal Bureau of Investigation Criminial Investigative Division Assistant Director Ronald Hosko.(Photo: Mandel Ngan, AFP/Getty Images)

Story Highlights

  • Action was conducted in 76 cities across the country over three days.
  • The FBI partnered with 230 local, state and federal agencies to execute the sweep.


WASHINGTON -- The FBI announced Monday the arrests of 150 people and recovery of 105 children involved in child prostitution rings in 76 cities across the country.

The sweep, conducted in the past three days, was carried out in partnership with local, state and federal law enforcement agencies. It represents the largest such law enforcement action focused on children forced into prostitution.

Assistant FBI Director Ron Hosko, head of the bureau's criminal division, said the children ranged from 13 to 17 years old. The youngest of the victims was allegedly being pimped by her father, who also was allegedly involved in videotaping his daughter's sexual encounters.

In operations involving 230 separate law enforcement agencies, authorities either made arrests or child recoveries from Atlanta to Los Angeles.

The largest number of children -- 12 -- were recovered in San Francisco.
And the most alleged pimps --18 -- were arrested in Detroit.

TOUGHER LAWS: Nevada increases penalties for pimps.

"Child prostitution remains a persistent threat to children across America," Hosko said. "This operation serves as a reminder that these abhorrent crimes can happen anywhere and that the FBI remains committed to stopping this cycle of victimization and holding the criminals who profit from this exploitation accountable."

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/07/29/fbi-arrest-child-prostitution-ring-rescue/2595725/