The Trump administration has touted the success of a human trafficking crackdown operation that led to the recovery of eight missing children in Kansas City, Missouri, during the 2026 World Cup.
The operation focused on identifying sexual predators seeking to exploit minors, as well as disrupting human trafficking networks operating in the region
Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe discussed the June 22 multi-agency crackdown in which Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the FBI, and local law enforcement worked together to rescue the minors.
During the undercover operation, law enforcement identified and arrested multiple suspects attempting to engage in illegal sexual acts with minors.
Jason Grouix, 50, of Pensacola, Florida, has been charged with attempted enticement of a child and attempted possession of child pornography.
Curtis Ray Gibson, 47, of Lenexa, Kansas, has been charged with attempted sex trafficking of a child.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup has drawn millions of foreign and domestic visitors to the United States.
Kansas City is one of the 16 official host cities for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
“This operation underscores the commitment of HSI and its partners to protect vulnerable populations and ensure public safety as Kansas City prepares for a major international event. The collaboration between federal, state, and local agencies was instrumental in achieving these results,” HSI Kansas City says.
Separately, before the FIFA World Cup officially began, the Treasury Department's Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) warned that while human trafficking is an ongoing crime, major events like the World Cup can open the window for traffickers because of the influx of visitors and increased economic activity.