Over a two-day sting operation, the Sacramento County Sheriff's Office, in collaboration with several law enforcement agencies, conducted what they are calling Operation FAFO—an aggressive push against human trafficking and exploitation in Sacramento County. As a result of their efforts, more than a hundred individuals were apprehended and booked on charges relating to prostitution, solicitation, and trafficking. Additionally, two minors, both 16 years old, were extracted from these harrowing situations and are now said to be receiving necessary services and care for their rehabilitation, as per a report by FOX40.
Ostensibly, deputies operated undercover as both the hunters and the hunted, blending in as buyers and sellers to identify exploiters and their victims within the sex trade. Through these efforts, alongside drones and other state-of-the-art tech, they mounted successful raids, as captured by intense video footage. In operations where law enforcement posed as potential customers, ambushing unsuspecting buyers at arranged meetups was featured among the strategies, as seen in the available footage. Sacramento County Sheriff Jim Cooper said, "This sting sends a clear message to those involved in the illegal sex trade: we are committed to protecting our community from exploitation, especially our most vulnerable. Human trafficking, especially the exploitation of minors, is a serious crime, and we will continue to work tirelessly to bring justice to victims," The quote was obtained by ABC10.
Collaboration was crucial to the success of Operation FAFO, uniting local law enforcement agencies like the California Highway Patrol and the Rancho Cordova Police Department with the California Department of Justice Human Trafficking Team and advocacy groups like Drive for Impact and the Sacramento Family Justice Center. Their combined efforts yielded a total of 122 arrests, as announced by FOX40.
The minors rescued received help from a support network that provided services to aid their recovery and transition to safer, healthier environments. Those seeking help or knowing someone affected by human trafficking can contact the Sacramento County Sheriff's Office at 916-874-5115 for assistance and information on available resources.
