41 Missing Kids and 3 Sex Traffickers Busted by New York City after Month-long Operation: US Marshals and NYPD
Several missing children have been located and three individuals, including a convicted sex offender, have been apprehended as a result of a comprehensive five-week collaborative effort involving the US Marshals Service, NYPD, and Homeland Security Investigations.
Authorities have successfully located 41 children who were considered “critically missing” as part of “Operation We Will Find You 2.” This operation, which lasted over a month and concluded on Monday, aimed to rescue children who were coerced into criminal activities, sex trafficking, or were frequent runaways.
Local authorities apprehended a sex offender, along with two other individuals who were sought for robbery and parental kidnapping, as reported by the marshals.
Law enforcement agencies have been notified of four cases that require further investigation. These cases involve allegations of assault, rape, sex trafficking, and failure to register as a sex offender, according to Marshals.
Officials reported that the children, including those with mental illnesses, were discovered in various apartments, stairwells, and even on the streets of the city.
“We are committed to leaving no stone unturned in our efforts to bring missing children home safely,” Ralph Sozio, the US Marshal for the Southern District of New York, said in a statement. “Through the collaboration of our law enforcement partners and community involvement, we aim to make a meaningful impact in safeguarding our children and bringing anyone who harms them to justice.”
Many individuals had different backgrounds, including those who had experienced homelessness or were in foster care. Additionally, there were people who came from out-of-state and found themselves in New York City.
A suspect was apprehended upon arrival from an international flight as reported by The Post.
“There is an epidemic of missing children in the United States,” Vincent DeMarco, the US Marshal for the Eastern District of New York, said in a statement. “Missing children must be reported and found quickly because they are vulnerable to sex trafficking, exploitation and can suffer unimaginable harm. I am very proud of the results of this operation and the impact it will have on the children’s lives.”
