Crime Stoppers of the Lowcountry
Home
News
About
Contact Crime Stoppers
Crime Stoppers FAQ
Donate to Crime Stoppers
Submit a Tip to Crime Stoppers
Home  |  News  |  FBI cracks down on child sex trafficking in 106 cities including N. Charleston

FBI cracks down on child sex trafficking in 106 cities including N. Charleston

Share |
En Espanol

Wednesday, June 25, 2014



NORTH CHARLESTON, SC (WCSC) - Two pimps were arrested in South Carolina and a teenage victim rescued in North Charleston following a child sex trafficking investigation.

The sting, which was led by the FBI, covered 106 cities including North Charleston and Columbia.

According to officials, 281 pimps were arrested on state and federal charges and 168 children were rescued. A 16-year-old victim was rescued in North Charleston.

"You have consumers willing to hire prostitutes in all those locations,” says FBI agent Brian Womble. “There wasn't one specific area. Certainly, there's an array of money to be made. It's a huge industry."

Womble says they worked with several law enforcement agencies, including the North Charleston Police Department. He says these kinds of operations must come together quickly as pimps don't tend to stay in one place for long, moving across state lines and national borders quickly.

"A lot of these people are transient so if you're planning for a long, long time, they're probably going to be gone."

While the investigation honed in on motels and hotels across the country, investigators also looked into social networking and classified ad sites. Womble says the victims are not always taken with force.

"A young victim who doesn't have much in life, doesn't have the family support, doesn't have the education, unfortunately, it doesn't take a whole lot of money to entice them."

He says this is the federal agency’s first sting in the Lowcountry.

"I wouldn't say Charleston has a larger threat than other areas in the country, but, certainly, it's an area we're focused on, and as the threat grows, we want to address it properly."

Since 2003, the FBI and its task force partners have recovered nearly 3,600 children from the streets. The investigations and subsequent 1,450 convictions have resulted in lengthy sentences, including 14 life terms and the seizure of more than $3.1 million in assets.

Source: http://www.live5news.com/story/25862586/fbi-cracks-down-on-child-sex-trafficking-in-106-cities-including-n-charleston
If you, or someone you know, have any information regarding any crime, you are encouraged to contact Crime Stoppers. You could earn a reward up to $1,000.

Anonymous tips can be submitted to Crime Stoppers at 554-1111, toll free at 1-888-CRIME-SC, or online at www.5541111.com. Texters can send anonymous tips to CRIMES (274637), and mark the beginning of the message with "TIPCSL". Text STOP to 274637 to cancel. Text HELP to 274637 for help. Msg&Data Rates May Apply.



   

Notice about comments:
Crime Stoppers of the Lowcountry is pleased to offer readers the enhanced ability to comment on stories. We expect our readers to engage in lively, yet civil discourse. Crime Stoppers does not edit user submitted statements and we cannot promise that readers will not occasionally find offensive or inaccurate comments posted in the comments area. Responsibility for the statements posted lies with the person submitting the comment, not Crime Stoppers of the Lowcountry. If you find a comment that is objectionable, please click "report abuse" and we will review it for possible removal. Please be reminded, however, that in accordance with our Terms of Use and federal law, we are under no obligation to remove any third party comments posted on our website.

Comments left on this site are NOT ANONYMOUS.

Crime Stoppers does not take information on crimes here or via standard email because we cannot guarantee your anonymity. Any information sent to us through comments will NOT be acted upon and will be removed. Please call 554-1111 or 1-888-CRIME-SC, or use our online tip form to give information anonymously to Crime Stoppers.

More Lowcountry Alerts

Find us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter Subscribe via RSS Get updates by email. Connect with Crime Stoppers




DO NOT attempt to approach, detain, follow or arrest any individual based on this web site's information. As information becomes dated it may become less accurate. Because some wanted persons are being sought for crimes of violence, or are known to be armed, all wanted persons should be considered dangerous. If you have information regarding the identity or whereabouts of any wanted person immediately contact Crime Stoppers or notify your local law enforcement agency.

Site Design & Maintenance: CharlestonImage.com

CharlestonImage.com

© Copyright Crime Stoppers of the Lowcountry. All Rights Reserved.