Nineteen people in northeastern Oklahoma face charges after a joint child sex trafficking investigation involving local, state and federal authorities.
Operation Independence Day was led by the FBI but locally involved the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Oklahoma; Tulsa, Bixby and Broken Arrow police departments; the Tulsa County Sheriff and District Attorney's Office; and the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation.
OSBI Director Ricky Adams said the teamwork is needed.
"None of our organizations has got the type of resources and the manpower to dedicate to one project all by ourself," Adams said.
The national effort ended with 67 arrests in all. Tulsa Police Chief Chuck Jordan said such team efforts are the new normal, because they result in better investigations and better prosecutions.
"If you’re planning on preying on one of our children, who are so precious to us, we’re coming for you. You can take that to the bank," Jordan said.
U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Oklahoma Trent Shores said nine men out of the 19 people arrested were indicted on federal charges, including coercion of a minor and sexual exploitation of a child — and all the defendants used the internet in their alleged crimes.
"Child predators go to where the victims are. And so, that is why it’s so important for parents to be familiar with all of the apps that their children are using in which they are communicating with other people," Shores said.
The 10 other individuals arrested face state charges and are being prosecuted by the Tulsa County District Attorney's Office.
The operation also identified and recovered four child victims. Defendants were mostly in contact with undercover law enforcement agents posing as children online.
