Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced on Wednesday the arrest of over 100 “human traffickers and child predators.”

“Today, we announced the arrests of 116 human traffickers and child predators and the rescue of five victims as part of an operation supporting the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office,” Uthmeier said.

“Florida has zero tolerance for this evil, and we will continue to hunt down every last one of them,” he added.

Florida Politics has more:

Law enforcement officials executed search warrants at residences connected to suspected “dark web” activity. Undercover online chats by detectives also were used to identify suspected traffickers.

Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister said the investigation went into the underbelly of the internet.

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“Human trafficking is a crime that thrives in the shadows, and operations like this one shine a light on it,” Chronister said.

“This work is not merely a job, it’s a mission, a mission to protect and preserve the very fabric of our community. Every arrest made during Operation Relentless Summer represents a predator who is no longer a threat to the families of Hillsborough County.”

“These human traffickers and child predators prey on the most vulnerable in our communities, exploiting women and children for their own gain,” said Uthmeier.

“Thanks to the outstanding work of the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office and the Office of Statewide Prosecution, 116 of these criminals are behind bars, five victims have been rescued, and one trafficker is facing three life sentences. Florida has zero tolerance for this evil, and we will continue to hunt down every last one of them,” he added.

“This morning, Sheriff Chad Chronister, alongside Attorney General James Uthmeier, announced the results of our ongoing efforts to combat human trafficking and hold offenders accountable,” the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office announced.

“Through relentless enforcement and commitment to justice, we will continue to identify offenders, protect victims, and pursue full prosecution to the fullest extent of the law,” it added.

WFLA shared further:

HCSO highlighted the arrest of Frank Amiekumo, 35, who was accused of trafficking women and girls across Texas, Louisiana and Florida for four years. He obtained fake ID cards for the underage victims so they could work at strip clubs, or used them on online commercial sex platforms, according to HCSO.

Amiekumo was charged with racketeering, conspiracy to commit racketeering, human trafficking of a minor, lewd or lascivious battery, deriving proceeds from prostitution, forcing, compelling or coercing another to commit prostitution, unlawful use of a two-way communication device to commit a felony, tampering with a witness, and tampering with evidence.

Deputies believe there may be additional victims related to his case and he is being held in jail without bond.

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