A coordinated four-day undercover operation in Northeast Florida, led by the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office Cyber Crimes Unit, has disrupted an online sex trafficking ring, resulting in 10 arrests and the rescue of three female victims.
Operation Innocence Shield
The operation, which took place from June 10 to 14, was conducted alongside the Northeast Florida Inter-Agency Child Exploitation and Persons Trafficking Task Force, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations, the State Attorney, Florida’s 7th Circuit, and the Florida Attorney General’s Office of Statewide Prosecution.
Undercover detectives responded to online advertisements for commercial sex services, detaining sex workers to screen for indicators of human trafficking, coercion, and exploitation. Three women were identified and rescued as victims of human trafficking, and law enforcement assisted them in securing immediate support services, resources, and safe living arrangements.
The operation resulted in six arrests on various prostitution and drug charges, alongside the seizure of narcotics, drug paraphernalia, a vehicle, and a firearm. In the second phase of the operation, law enforcement targeted individuals attempting to purchase sex services via online advertisements, resulting in four additional arrests for solicitation or offering prostitution.
The third phase of the operation remains active, with the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office Digital Forensics Unit reviewing forensic evidence and digital devices collected during the sting. Detectives have already identified three suspected human sex traffickers who are now under active investigation.
Authorities released the identities and booking details of the 10 individuals arrested during the operation, including charges ranging from prostitution to possession of fentanyl with intent to distribute.
Sheriff Rick Staly urged members of the community to learn the warning signs of human trafficking by visiting the National Human Trafficking Hotline website.
Original reporting: Tampa Free Press — read the source article.
