FBI: 20 Teens Rescued In Colorado, Wyoming Sex Sting
DENVER (AP/CBS4) — Authorities in Colorado and Wyoming say they've rescued 20 teenage victims and arrested seven pimps as part of an annual crackdown on child sex trafficking.
FBI officials on Tuesday announced the results of the yearly operation, which targets the problem nationwide. Across the country, authorities rescued 149 young victims and arrested 153 pimps as part of Operation Cross Country.
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.
"Traffickers can make $100,000 a year on each child. Pimps coerce, beat, threaten these children to stay in the sex trade," said Special Agent in Charge FBI Denver Division Thomas Ravnelle. "These children do not know how to escape."
Those arrested face lengthy sentences.
Ravenelle also said such crimes won't be tolerated.
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