More than 120 children located in FBI's anti-sex trafficking operation

The FBI partnered with state and local law enforcement to locate more than 120 children during an anti-sex trafficking operation last month, the agency announced Monday.

During two weeks in August through "Operation Cross Country," officials identified and located 84 victims of child sex trafficking and exploitation. Authorities also located 37 actively missing children through the nationwide campaign.

Law enforcement found 141 adult human trafficking victims during the operation, while the youngest discovered victim was 11 years old. Authorities also identified or arrested 85 suspects in human trafficking or child exploitation. 

"Human trafficking is among the most heinous crimes the FBI encounters,"  FBI Director Christopher Wray said in a press release. "Unfortunately, such crimes — against both adults and children — are far more common than most people realize. As we did in this operation, the FBI and our partners will continue to find and arrest traffickers, identify and help victims, and raise awareness of the exploitation [of] our most vulnerable populations."

Michelle DeLaune, President and CEO of the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, applauded the FBI's efforts. 

"Children are being bought and sold for sex in communities across the country by traffickers, gangs and even family members," she said.