COPS have saved 35 missing and endangered children as part of a major human trafficking takedown in Ohio. Known as Operation Safety Net, the mission discovered Ohio children between the ages of 13 and 18 in various cities from Akron to as far away as Miami, Florida. According to the news release, about 20 percent […]
COPS have saved 35 missing and endangered children as part of a major human trafficking takedown in Ohio.
Known as Operation Safety Net, the mission discovered Ohio children between the ages of 13 and 18 in various cities from Akron to as far away as Miami, Florida.
According to the news release, about 20 percent of the cases were tied to human trafficking.
“Of the 40 missing cases referred to the Marshals Task Force only five cases remain open,” the release stated.
“Members of the task force and its local partners will continue to work over the next several weeks to bring these five remaining children and other children to safety.”
Chief John Majoy of a small village in Ohio said he was “proud to assist in Operation Safety Net and I commend the US Marshals Service for their hard work and dedication toward locating these children.”
He continued: “Many times, they do not know they are a victim and this operation offers hope, freedom, and safety they would not otherwise have. This is a fine example of local, state, and federal partners all working together for a notable cause.”
Based on the results of this operation, the US Marshal for the Northern District of Ohio has now created a permanent Missing Child Unit throughout the 40 counties of Northern Ohio.
The dramatic rescue in Ohio happened after the US Marshals led a similar mission called Operation Triple Beam in Oklahoma, which resulted in the arrest of 262 people and the rescue of five missing children.
Of the 262 people arrested, authorities said 141 of them are confirmed gang members and six were homicide suspects.
Twenty-one were assault suspects, another 21 were burglary suspects, 88 were weapons offense suspects and 57 were drug offense suspects, according to a press release from the US Marshals service.
Five children who were missing and thought to be in danger were also rescued safely.
The operation also turned up 72 firearms, more than nine kilograms of narcotics and nearly $17,000 cash.
“Our primary goal with operations like OTB is to make communities safer,” Johnny Kuhlman, US Marshal for the Western District of Oklahoma, said.
“When we arrest these violent fugitives, we are also removing guns and narcotics from our streets.”
