The Cuyahoga County Sheriff’s Office, local police, and the FBI made 80 arrests in the Cleveland area targeting prostitution in an effort to identify and recover children who were sold into human trafficking. During the operation, 36 adult prostitutes were identified or arrested, 44 ‘Johns’ were arrested, 2 pimps were arrested, 32 cars, 2 guns, and $6,000 in cash were seized.

Members of Second Chance traveled to Washington D.C. to receive the prestigious FBI Director’s Community Leadership Award from FBI Director, Robert Mueller. The fifty-six nationwide FBI field offices nominate individuals and community organizations that have shown tremendous support in investigations to combat crime, terrorism, drugs and violence in America.  Congratulations to all members of Second Chance for the hard work and dedication to the issue of human trafficking.

In the Northwest Ohio area seven child victims were identified and four traffickers were arrested as part of a national enforcement action lead by FBI Innocence Lost Task Forces. As part of the investigation a Toledo mother was charged with prostituting her 13 year-old daughter and another 15-year-old girl from August 1 to October 3, 2009. A 10-year-old being groomed for prostitution activities was also among the victims.

The FBI conducted the third Operation Cross Country sting to recover victims and traffickers. Although none of the identified victims were from Toledo at least one trafficker and seventeen others from Toledo were arrested.