From The Streets To Internet: Major Child Sex Trafficking Busts Include Colorado
DENVER (CBS4) - FBI officials on Tuesday announced the results of a yearly operation which targets the problem of child sex trafficking nationwide. Across the country, authorities rescued 149 young victims and arrested 153 pimps as part of Operation Cross Country.
Authorities in Colorado and Wyoming say they've rescued 20 teenage victims and arrested seven pimps as part of the crackdown. Forty customers were also taken into custody.
In Denver and Wyoming, the victims ranged in age from 13 to 17. In one case, investigators found a 14-year-old Denver girl who was being trafficked by a gang member. Officials and victim advocates helped reconnect her with her family and get treatment.
In Denver, East Colfax Avenue used to be the meeting place for prostitutes and clients, but now it has more or less shifted to the Internet; and that's where investigators concentrated in the nationwide bust.
Using hotel rooms as their staging ground, investigators scanned Internet ads looking for those who might be underage. An agent would then answer the ad, drawing those involved to their bait. In one location a television monitor was set up to keep an eye on what was taking place in the adjoining room. When the deal was cut they moved in.
Special Agent in Charge FBI Denver Division Thomas Ravnelle at a news conference was asked how and why children get caught up in it.
"It could be beatings, it could be latching onto their feelings that nobody loves them; they have a troubled home life," Ravnelle said.
The trafficking of teens used to be primarily on the streets. Now it has turned to the Internet. Backpage.com has been cited by law enforcement as a location for the ads, but it's taken a twist because the site's use of credit cards has diminished.
"Unfortunately, in the effort to try to eliminate this, it has made it somewhat harder to even find these traffickers," 18th District Deputy District Attorney Cara Morlan said.
But when those suspected of trafficking in child prostitution are caught the punishment can be harsh. The sentences in Colorado have ranged from 30 to 120 years in prison.
The victims are given counseling and access to many organizations that can help with their recovery.