The Federal Bureau of Investigation has just wrapped up the latest round of what is known as Operation Cross Country, an international effort focused on underage human trafficking.
FBI agents, along with representatives from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) and other law enforcement agencies, rescued 82 minors and arrested 239 traffickers and their associates. Two of those arrested were from North Georgia, according to press information from the FBI.
The latest round-up, the tenth of its kind, was conducted from Oct. 13 through 15, according to agents. They said it was the largest such operation to date.
The results of Operation Cross Country X were announced Tuesday by FBI Director James Comey and NCMEC Director John Clark at the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) convention in San Diego, CA.
Comey and Clark announced that not only did domestic raids occur, but also the operation was carried out for the first time internationally. Law enforcement partners from Cambodia, Canada, the Philippines and Thailand had operations in their respective countries.
In Georgia, authorities made arrests and conducted rescues in the Atlanta area and in the Athens area.
Atlanta FBI’s Metro Atlanta Child Exploitation Task Force (MATCH) conducted two search warrants, seized seven firearms, recovered one juvenile victim in Lake City, and arrested 15 pimps/traffickers, as well as 54 adult prostitutes.
Those arrested for pimping/human trafficking related charges in the Atlanta area were:
- Tracy Smith, age 30, arrest/ Alpharetta, GA
- Dujuan Walker, age 35, arrest/ Alpharetta, GA
- Shaka Belgrave, age 28, arrest/Dekalb County PD
- Jernesha Jachelle Cummings, age 20, arrest/ Gwinnett County PD
- Natasha Smith, age 28, arrest/Alpharetta PD
- Michael Karp, age 55, arrest/Alpharetta PD
- Anthony Wynn , age 45, arrest/Alpharetta PD
- Ron Ralph, age 32, arrest/Dunwoody PD
- Jetonga Daraya Jackson, age 36, arrest/Dunwoody PD
- Brandon Marquiz Ruffin, age 33, arrest/Dunwoody PD
- Tory Collins, age 33, arrest/Marietta PD
- Sydney Sheffield, age 19, arrest/Marietta PD
- Vanessa Lynn Fuller, age 29, arrest/Gwinnett County PD
- Tony Rashad Colin, age 28, arrest/Dunwoody PD
- Reginald McGlotten, age 21, arrest/Dunwoody PD
- Shunterrio J. Thomas, age 32, arrested/Augusta, GA
The FBI said operations in Athens resulted in the arrests of five individuals who were traveling to specific locations for the purpose of having sex with a minor child. Two firearms also were seized.
Those arrested in Athens were:
- Jennings B. Summerour, age 66, of Athens, GA
- Harold C. Williams, age 47, of Stephens, GA
- Joshua P. Harkins, age 29, of Demorest, GA
- Randy E. Ash, age 35, of Winder, GA
- Mohammed Nihal Patel, age 22, of Eatonton, GA
In addition, operations in Augusta resulted in the arrest of one pimp/trafficker.
“Operation Cross Country aims to shine a spotlight into the darkest corners of our society that seeks to prey on the most vulnerable of our population,” said Comey. “As part of this effort, we are not only looking to root out those who engage in the trafficking of minors, but, through our Office of Victim Assistance, we offer a lifeline to minors to help them escape a from a virtual prison no person ever deserves.”
“Child sex trafficking is a global problem and we must throw every resource we can at combating it,” said Clark. “All of us at the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children are proud to work side by side with the FBI and their law enforcement partners as we work tirelessly every day to find and rescue child victims and while ensuring that those responsible for this horrible crime are held accountable.”
