In a major effort to combat child sex trafficking, 60 missing children were rescued in the Tampa Bay area as part of a sweeping law enforcement initiative called Operation Dragon Eye. Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier, alongside local and federal officials, announced the results during a press conference on June 23.
Led by the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) for the Central District of Florida, the operation was a two-week, multi-agency initiative focused on locating children at the highest risk of harm. The recovered children were between 9 and 17 years old and came from Hillsborough, Pinellas, and Pasco counties. In addition to the recoveries, eight individuals were arrested on charges ranging from human trafficking to drug-related offenses and child endangerment.
Officials emphasized the emotional weight of the operation and the critical nature of the cases. “This is the most successful child recovery effort in U.S. Marshals history,” said William Berger, U.S. Marshal for the Middle District of Florida. “These children weren’t just found—they were cared for, supported, and connected to the resources they need to begin healing.”
The U.S. Marshals define “critically missing children” as those most vulnerable to violent crimes, including sexual exploitation, abuse, and exposure to drugs or domestic violence. Of the 60 children found, 69% had gone missing from their local communities, while 31% were missing from the foster care system. The group included 43 girls and 17 boys.
The operation had three main goals: to recover critically missing youth, connect them to essential physical and mental health services, and deter further exploitation by those who prey on vulnerable children. A key element of this mission was not only the safe recovery of the children, but also ensuring they received follow-up care to help prevent them from returning to unsafe situations.
The success of the initiative relied on a coordinated effort among more than 20 groups, including law enforcement, child welfare organizations, medical professionals, and nonprofits. Agencies involved included the Florida Attorney General’s Office, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Department of Children and Families, multiple sheriff’s and police departments, and national groups like the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC).
“This effort shows what’s possible when organizations work together with a shared purpose,” said Callahan Walsh of NCMEC. “We’re honored to be part of a mission that helps ensure every child has a safe place to grow up.”
Since the 2015 passage of the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act, the U.S. Marshals Service has located nearly 4,000 missing children nationwide and resolved two-thirds of the cases it has received—many within just a week.
Attorney General Uthmeier, a father of three, was direct in his message to offenders: “If you hurt children, you’re going to prison. Period.”
As the dust settles from Operation Dragon Eye, the message is clear: Florida law enforcement and its partners are committed to protecting children—and holding those who exploit them accountable.
SOURCE: Herald Tribune, U.S. Marshals