885 arrested in child prostitution sweep in US

69 children who had been forced into prostitution were freed over the last three days as a result of a coordinated investigation by the FBI along with state and local authorities, Allvoices.com reports, citing the sources of FBI.

The operation took place in 40 cities across the nation and resulted in the arrest of nearly 885 people, including 99 pimps.

“Child prostitution continues to be a significant problem in our country, as evidenced by the number of children rescued through the continued efforts of our crimes against children task forces,” said Shawn Henry, executive assistant director of the FBI’s Criminal, Cyber, Response, and Services Branch.

Indictments were unsealed in several US districts on Monday, charging individuals with a variety of crimes ranging from kidnapping, distribution of child pornography and the transportation of minors to engage in prostitution as well as narcotics and firearms offenses.