During the FIFA World Cup in metro Atlanta, a multi-agency law enforcement operation led to the arrests of 153 people and the rescue of 54 human trafficking victims.
Authorities said the effort targeted human trafficking, child exploitation, and related crimes during the tournament, after investigators anticipated traffickers would try to exploit the surge of visitors.
The operation, called “Operation Red Card,” ran from the opening World Cup match in Atlanta through the city's final match. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, and numerous federal, state, and local agencies participated in the effort.
"As the world's eyes turned to Atlanta during the World Cup, traffickers and predators saw an opportunity, but so did we in law enforcement," HSI Special Agent in Charge Steven Schrank said at a Tuesday press conference.
Schrank said the operation led to 13 arrests on human trafficking charges, 11 for child exploitation, and 129 others for offenses including pandering, prostitution, narcotics violations, and outstanding warrants. Schrank also said 14 people arrested during the operation were in the United States unlawfully.
Officials said investigators rescued 54 trafficking victims. Of those, 27 accepted victim services, including crisis intervention, medical care, safety planning, emergency shelter, transportation, food, clothing, and connections to long-term services, Georgia Criminal Justice Coordinating Council Executive Director Jay Neal said during Tuesday's briefing.
Neal said accepting services marked the beginning of a pathway toward a new life for the 27 victims. For some, he said, it was the first time in months or years that someone had simply asked, "How can I help you?"
Several Cases Announced Involving Child Exploitation, Human Trafficking
Schrank highlighted several cases during the briefing. In one case, authorities arrested a 30-year-old convicted felon on child exploitation charges after he traveled to meet someone he believed was a 14-year-old following explicit online conversations. Investigators found a shotgun and body armor in his vehicle.In another case, authorities arrested a 25-year-old man accused of transporting a woman against her will for commercial sex while running advertisements, arranging clients, and collecting all proceeds. Officers found a firearm in his vehicle.
A 28-year-old male was accused of forcing a woman into commercial sex acts and transporting her against her will. Investigators recovered a loaded firearm during that arrest, officials said.
“These arrests and rescues are more than numbers. They represent lives changed, exploitation stopped, and our community made safer,” he said, adding that “we will bring these heinous predators to justice.”
Georgia Bureau of Investigation Director Chris Hosey said law enforcement agents who participated in the operation were deeply committed to their work.
“For them, this became more than just a job, it became a moral responsibility, and some people would call it—a calling,” he said. Hosey said officers are dedicated to rescuing victims before they suffer more harm or before it is too late.