52 children rescued in nationwide sex-trafficking raids

Federal officials arrest almost 700 people, including 60 suspected pimps, in a three-day crackdown on child prostitution. The youngest victim was 10, authorities say.

By Joe Markman
LA Times

October 27, 2009

Reporting from Washington

Federal officials rescued 52 children and arrested nearly 700 people over the last three days in a nationwide crackdown on child prostitution.

Almost 1,600 agents and officers took part in the raids, which followed investigations in 36 cities, according to the FBI, local law enforcement agencies and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Included in the arrests were 60 suspected pimps, according to the FBI and local police officials.

Authorities say the youngest victim was 10.

In Southern California, two children were rescued in Riverside, and four adults were arrested, said Laura Eimiller, an FBI spokeswoman. Four suspected customers of child prostitutes were arrested in Orange County.

(More here.)