TAMPA BAY, FLORIDA — A two-week investigation aimed at recovering critically missing children culminated in the successful rescue of 60 children in the Tampa Bay area, Florida State Attorney James Uthmeier announced on June 23.
The operation, dubbed Operation Dragon Eye, was led by the U.S. Marshals Service and involved the collaboration of 20 law enforcement agencies across Hillsborough, Pinellas, and Pasco counties.
During the operation, eight individuals were arrested on charges ranging from human trafficking and child endangerment to drug possession and drug trafficking.
Operation Dragon Eye: A Collaborative Effort
Operation Dragon Eye was a targeted initiative focused on locating and recovering children who were critically missing, meaning they were at risk of violent crimes, sexual exploitation, or domestic violence.
According to the U.S. Marshals Service, this operation was a significant milestone in the mission to protect vulnerable children.
“I have to curtail my enthusiasm because of the sensitivity of the victims involved in this operation, but the successful recovery of 60 missing children, complemented with the arrest of eight individuals, including child predators, signifies the most successful missing child recovery effort in the history of the U.S. Marshals Service,” said William Berger, U.S. Marshal for the Middle District of Florida.
Details of the Operation
The operation aimed to recover critically missing children and provide them with essential services, including physical and psychological care, as well as appropriate placement.
The U.S. Marshals Service’s special emphasis on the recovery of minors between the ages of 9 and 17 proved successful, with 17 boys and 43 girls being safely recovered during the two-week mission.
“The unique part of this operation was the fact that underaged critically missing children, ranging from age 9 to 17, were not only recovered but were debriefed and provided with physical and psychological care,” said Berger. “This operation further included follow-up assistance to help ensure these youth will not return to the streets to be further victimized.”
The Importance of Recovering Critically Missing Children
The U.S. Marshals Service defines critically missing children as those who are at heightened risk of exploitation or violence. These children may be vulnerable due to factors like substance abuse, sexual exploitation, crime exposure, or domestic violence.
Since the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act was passed in 2015, the U.S. Marshals Service has located or recovered nearly 4,000 missing children, with a recovery rate of 66% of the cases it received.
The organization’s commitment to locating missing children continues to be a critical part of child protection efforts nationwide.
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Collaboration Among Agencies
The success of Operation Dragon Eye was due in large part to the collaboration of a variety of federal, state, and local agencies, along with social service entities.
In addition to the U.S. Marshals Service, the following agencies played a vital role in the operation:
- Florida Attorney General’s Office
- Florida Department of Law Enforcement
- Florida Department of Children and Families
- Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office
- Pasco Sheriff’s Office
- Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office
- St. Petersburg Police Department
- Tampa Police Department
- National Center for Missing & Exploited Children
- Children’s Home Network
- Bridging Freedom
- Bridges of Hope
- BayCare
- Family Support Services of Pasco Pinellas Counties
- Redefining Refuge
A Nationwide Effort to Protect Children
In 2024, the U.S. Marshals Service conducted a nationwide operation called “Operation We Will Find You 2”, which resulted in the recovery of 200 missing children.
This operation, conducted from May 20 to June 24, involved collaboration between federal, state, and local agencies across the United States. Out of the 200 children, 123 were rescued from dangerous situations, and the other 77 were found to be in safe locations, according to law enforcement officials.
Callahan Walsh, executive director of the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, applauded the success of Operation Dragon Eye and the agencies involved. “We applaud the agencies that collaborated in Operation Dragon Eye to help protect children,” Walsh said.
Looking Ahead: Continued Efforts to Combat Child Exploitation
The success of Operation Dragon Eye is a reminder of the ongoing efforts needed to protect vulnerable children from human trafficking and exploitation.
Law enforcement agencies will continue their work to ensure that more children are safely recovered, and those responsible for exploiting them are held accountable.
What Do You Think?
How can communities better support efforts to prevent child trafficking and exploitation? What role do law enforcement agencies play in ensuring children’s safety? Share your thoughts in the comments below on RidgecrestPact.org.
