On Thursday, July 22, 2021, the Florida Sheriffs Association (FSA) Task Force released the results of Operation Breaking Chains, a strategic initiative in 16 Florida counties that focused on reducing human trafficking throughout the state and prosecuting those responsible for trafficking individuals. During this month-long operation, 29 victims were recovered, 31 traffickers were identified, and a total of 363 arrests took place during the Task Force’s “Operation Breaking Chains.”
“Amplifying the safety on our roads and waterways is crucial for all Floridians, including our children, and those who visit the Sunshine State,” said FSA President and Gilchrist County Sheriff Bobby Schultz. “The dedicated enforcement of state laws that deal with businesses suspected of human trafficking and online operations will help to keep us all safe.”
The following are the statewide totals:
- 16 total Sheriff’s Offices participated in the month-long
- 29 victims recovered
- 31 traffickers identified
- 4 traffickers arrested
- 363 interdiction stops made both highway and waterway
- 4 victims rescued for interdiction stops
- Over 1,000 man-hours doing knock and talks at multiple business locations
- 363 total arrests
- 7,591 social media and sign messages distributed
- 33 non-government community-based organizations assisted during the operation
For Flagler County, the FCSO made 13 arrests in a two-day operation, which included a variety of prostitution, narcotics, and firearm-related offenses. This operation focused on individuals soliciting prostitution services online on websites specifically utilized for prostitution advertisements, suspected prostitutes’ transporters and handlers, as well as subjects who are attempting to procure sexual services from these individuals.
This county-wide operation successfully led to the discovery and interception of a victim of Human Trafficking. SIU has turned the individual over to the care of HSI, who has initiated the process of providing the victim with a variety of services and assistance to be able to keep them away from their human trafficker. That investigation is ongoing.
“We partnered with the FSA for this state-wide operation, which led to the recovery of drugs, firearms, and the rescue of a victim of human trafficking.” Sheriff Rick Staly said. “These are not victimless crimes and we will continue to work to end human trafficking, prostitution, and drugs in Flagler County. I want to thank our Special Investigations Unit, Homeland Security Investigations, and our PACE team for their incredible work during this operation.”
Gary DeLia says
Politicians are always talking freedom and how lucky we are to live in such a free country. That’s a lie. Go online and do your homework and you will find we are not so free as other developed nations. The white Christian nationalists have had a stranglehold on our country for generations. Anything that offends their perverse sense of morality soon becomes a law. Take prostitution: in the countries where it is legal and regulated, rape, pedophilia, and STDs are rare. We are carnal beings, and to legislate against our natural desires only leads to moneymaking schemes such as human trafficking. If you think about it, we are still feeling the effects of Prohibition of the 1920s. Enough, it’s time we start electing people who understand that our First Amendment not only means freedom of religion, but freedom from religion as well.