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Dozens of children were rescued during a child sex trafficking operation in Florida, officials announced Monday.
Called Operation Dragon Eye, the initiative is led by the U.S. Marshal’s Office in the Central Florida Region and is supported by state Attorney General James Uthmeier’s statewide Attorney (OSP).
The work involved 20 institutions working in tandem to locate 60 seriously missing children and arrest suspects related to trafficking, drugs and child harm.
“The real hero behind this operation is the law enforcement that builds and performs this mission,” Uthmeier said in a press release. “As your attorney general and father of three, protecting the child is my top priority. If you suffer a child, you are going to jail and the story ends.”
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The age of recovered children ranges from 9 to 17 years old, with many of them missing and at risk of being exploited. The U.S. Marshal Service defines children who are “severely missing” as “children at risk of violent crime, or those with other risk factors such as drug abuse, sexual exploitation, crime exposure or domestic violence.”
The action reveals the serious reality of sexual trafficking – including several pregnant young girls, one with the trafficker’s child.
Officials stressed that the action did not end with rescue, but that every child would immediately receive medical assessment and psychological support and a long-term care regimen was adopted.
“The unique part of this action is that children missing minors are not only recovered, but also reported and provided physical and psychological care,” said U.S. Marshal William Berger. “The action further includes follow-up assistance, and hopefully these young people will not be further hurt when they return to the streets.”
Statistics from Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier’s office after Dragon Eye operation.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) also played a central role in the operation. Commissioner Mark Glass assured parents of missing children that the department will “never stop searching.”
“Sixty children were saved. This number conveys the message that Florida will never be a safe place for traffickers,” Glass said. “At FDLE, we will continue to fight for those who can’t fight for themselves. For any family that still misses their children, we will never stop searching until we make sure they are taken home safely.”
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In the operation, eight people were arrested. They face various charges, including human trafficking, endangering children, drugs and drug trafficking. Authorities said the investigation is underway and there may be other charges.
The statewide office of prosecution is handling criminal cases with the support of state prosecutors in the Sixth and Thirteenth Judicial Circuit Courts. Special attorney Rita Peters has been appointed to lead the prosecution in a human trafficking case, while two other trafficking cases are still under investigation.
The U.S. Marshal works with local law enforcement at Operator Dragon Eye. (U.S. officials via Fox 13)
Sex trafficking continues to pose an ongoing threat in Florida, which, along with California and Texas, reportedly is among the top three in the country, according to data from the National Human Trafficking Hotline.
According to the agency, Florida received more than 1,830 signals in 2024 alone, which led to the identities of 1,874 victims. The Florida Department of Children and Family (DCF) found that many victims are minors between the ages of 11 and 17, usually tempted by manipulation or online platforms.
In response, Florida leaders stepped up their funding and legislative efforts. Gov. Ron DeSantis recently allocated $4.9 million to expand emergency shelters and staff support for victims of trafficking, while also providing $900,000 in grants to FDLE.
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“Florida is actively stopping human trafficking,” DeSantis said earlier. “While our open southern border invites criminal activities such as human trafficking, states can use stronger penalties to recognise and respond to trafficking training with first responders to crime, and today I am happy to take these measures in Florida.”
State lawmakers have also passed legislation to increase penalties for traffickers and authorize trafficking awareness training for hotel staff, health care providers and school staff.
Fox News Digital has contacted Uthmeier’s office for comment.
