Overview
- Authorities conducted the four-day sweep from March 2–6 across Southern California, with recoveries extending into Arizona and Nevada.
- Investigators identified more than 50 cases for youths ages 14 to 17 and located 37, with roughly 13 cases still open.
- The operation was led by the U.S. Marshals and Riverside County’s anti-human-trafficking task force with support from CHP, LAPD, Anaheim police, the FBI, Homeland Security and the Secret Service.
- Several of the recovered minors were identified as victims of sexual assault or child sex trafficking, and each child received advocacy services and medical support before reunification.
- Seven suspects were taken into custody, including at least one tied to a child sex trafficking case, and officials have withheld identities as investigations continue.