163 children rescued in human trafficking sting
More than 160 children were rescued as a result of “Operation Statewide Shield,” a first-of-its-kind mission to find missing kids across the state. Florida’s attorney general says many of these children were victims of human trafficking and more than a quarter of those rescued were from the Tampa Bay area. FOX 13’s Evan Axelbank reports.
TAMPA, Fla. – A historic Florida child recovery operation rescued 163 missing children and led to multiple arrests across several regions.
Operation Statewide Shield
What we know:
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced the successful recovery of 163 missing children, ages 2 months to 17 years old, following Operation Statewide Shield. The initiative marks the first statewide child recovery effort and the largest operation of its kind in Florida history.
A multidisciplinary task force conducted sub-operations across Pensacola, Tallahassee, Jacksonville, Orlando, Tampa, Fort Myers and Miami. Regional recoveries included 46 children in Tampa Bay, 41 in Miami, 32 in Jacksonville, 21 in Orlando, 12 in Fort Myers, 8 in Pensacola and three in Tallahassee.
Child recovery operation
What we don’t know:
Authorities have not yet identified all individuals leading the illegal operations. Uthmeier said officials are continuing investigations to determine who runs the trafficking networks.
Officials also have not released the total number of expected criminal charges, though investigators said they believe more arrests will occur.
Statewide police effort
The backstory:
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement led the five-day investigation alongside Special Counsel for Human Trafficking Rita Peters. The team built the framework using strategies from previous federal law enforcement initiatives, including Operations Dragon Eye and Home for the Holidays.
The multi-agency task force rescued kids across six U.S. states, Puerto Rico and 12 foreign countries, including Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Dominica, Finland, Ghana, Guatemala, Italy, Jamaica, Mexico, Spain and Taiwan. Officers transported the recovered children to specialized hubs offering social services, medical care and child welfare support.
Child exploitation arrests
What’s next:
Law enforcement agencies maintain open investigations connected to the operation. Officers arrested three individuals, including suspects wanted for lewd acts with a minor, battery on a victim between 12 and 16 years old, and interference with child custody.
Three men were arrested and 163 children were recovered during Operation Statewide Shield.
According to FOX News, Michael Prescott was arrested on Aug. 21 by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office. He was charged with three counts of lewd and lascivious acts with a minor, one count of felony battery and one count of aggravated assault.
Prescott already had an active warrant for interference with child custody, according to Uthmeier’s office.
FOX News reported that Robert Ferral Allison was arrested on Aug. 20 by the Lee County Sheriff’s Office. He was charged with lewd and lascivious battery on a victim 12 to 16 years old.
Jayden Allen Harwood, according to Uthmeier’s office, was reportedly arrested on charges of interference in a child custody case and resisting officers without violence.
Uthmeier emphasized that prosecutors will pursue maximum sentences, including the death penalty where applicable for child sex abusers.
The Source: The information in this story was gathered from Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier, Florida Department of Law Enforcement Commissioner Mark Glass, Rep. Danny Alvarez, Department of Children and Families Assistant Secretary Jonathan Stephens and FOX News.
