Underage prostitution: Nine Denver juveniles recovered, six pimps busted in FBI operation

Earlier this morning, the FBI announced the results of Operation Cross Country, a three-day, nationwide operation targeted victims of underage prostitution and the criminals profiting from it. According to the feds, 105 juveniles were recovered as a result of the effort, and 150 pimps were busted. Denver contributes to both...

By Michael Roberts

July 29, 2013

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Earlier this morning, the FBI announced the results of Operation Cross Country, a three-day, nationwide operation targeted victims of underage prostitution and the criminals profiting from it.

According to the feds, 105 juveniles were recovered as a result of the effort, and 150 pimps were busted.

Denver contributes to both totals: Nine juveniles and six pimps, to be specific. Details, videos and more below.

The FBI has released a couple of videos related to Operation Cross Country, including this compilation of footage showing planning and arrests:

The operation was conducted over the past 72 hours, with the FBI working in conjunctionw ith assorted local, state and federal agencies, including the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, with actions being conducted in 76 cities across 47 FBI divisions nationwide.

The one in Denver generated some of the biggest numbers overall and per capita. More juveniles were recovered in only three cities (San Francisco with twelve, Milwaukee and Detroit with ten apiece) listed specifically in FBI data shared below, with only six cities (Atlanta, Georgia, Jackson, Mississippi; Knoxville, Tennessee; and Oklahoma City, plus Detroit and San Francisco) seeing more pimp busts.

Look below to see another FBI video, this one focusing on the comments of an underage-prostitution victim, followed by the city-by-city breakdown.

More from our Colorado Crimes archive circa May 2012: "Prostitution in Denver: Women busted more than men, punished more harshly."

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Michael Roberts began his career with Westword in 1990 as music editor. In 1999, he took on a new role, full-time media reporter, as author of a column called The Message. In 2008, he became the lead writer for Westword's news blog, The Latest Word, a position he held until January 2023. Michael continues to freelance for Westword, covering everything from business to sports and the media; he also contributes to Jazziz, a national music magazine. He holds a bachelor's degree from what is now Colorado Mesa University and master's degrees from the University of California, Los Angeles, and Northwestern University.

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