Langston University PD helped FBI recover 33 missing children
Mike Seals - January 25, 2021 10:38 am
(KOCO) – An Oklahoma law enforcement agency helped in an operation that led to the recovery of more than two dozen missing children this month.
FBI officials said the Langston University Police Department participated in Operation Lost Angels, an initiative that began on Jan. 11 and resulted in 33 missing children being recovered.
According to a news release, the FBI worked with the Los Angeles Police Department, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and more than two dozen law enforcement and non-governmental partners to identify, locate and recover missing children, particularly those who have been or were suspected of being sexually exploited and/or trafficked.
According to the release, eight of the children were being sexually exploited when they were recovered. FBI officials also said two were recovered multiple times during the operation – it’s not uncommon for victims who are rescued to return to commercial sex trafficking either voluntarily or by force, fraud or coercion.
According to the FBI, Operation Lost Angels resulted in one suspected human trafficker being arrested on state charges and multiple investigations being opened. Some of the minor victims were arrested for probation violations, robbery or other misdemeanors.
“The FBI considers human trafficking modern-day slavery, and the minors engaged in commercial sex trafficking are considered victims,” Assistant Director Kristi K. Johnson said in the release. “While this operation surged resources over a limited period of time with great success, the FBI and our partners investigate child sex trafficking every day of the year and around the clock.”
KOCO 5 reached out to Langston University officials for comment, but we have not heard back yet.
Anyone who believes they may be victims of human trafficking may call the National Human Trafficking Resource Center Hotline (NHTRC) at 888-373-7888 or visit https://humantraffickinghotline.org. The NHTRC is a national, confidential, toll-free hotline, with specialists available to answer calls at all times.
