San Antonio, Texas — More than 30 missing children have been rescued and multiple human trafficking operations dismantled during a statewide enforcement sweep led by the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) and local law enforcement agencies. The coordinated effort, dubbed “Operation Lightning Bug,” targeted trafficking networks and individuals exploiting vulnerable youth across Texas.
Statewide Crackdown Uncovers Trafficking Rings
The large-scale operation was centered in San Antonio but extended to several regions, including Del Rio, Midland, and Pecos. Federal agents and local police worked together to locate missing juveniles, arrest suspects, and open new investigations into ongoing trafficking activity.
Participating agencies included the San Antonio Police Department’s (SAPD) Missing Persons Unit, Special Victims Unit, and Street Crimes Unit, alongside covert operatives and national crime analysts.
According to officials, the results were significant:
- 3 arrests for harboring runaways
- 9 felony warrants executed
- 6 sex trafficking survivors rescued and connected to victim support programs
- 5 new trafficking investigations opened
- Over 30 missing juveniles located
- More than 120 additional juveniles voluntarily returned home, clearing their names from missing persons databases
Each recovered child was interviewed by SAPD’s Special Victims Unit to determine whether they had been trafficked or otherwise victimized. Survivors have since been referred to counseling and rehabilitation programs through Health and Human Services and other support agencies.
U.S. Marshals Emphasize Protection of Vulnerable Youth
U.S. Marshal Susan Pamerleau, for the Western District of Texas, said the operation reflects the agency’s ongoing mission to protect children from exploitation and abuse.
“The safety of our children is the safety of our communities, and justice demands that we protect those who cannot protect themselves,” Pamerleau said. “Through Operation Lightning Bug, we reaffirm our promise to safeguard the most vulnerable and strengthen the safety of our communities.”
The Marshals Service conducted the sweep under the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act of 2015, which authorizes federal officers to recover missing or endangered children, even when no fugitive is directly involved. That legislation also established the USMS Missing Child Unit, which leads similar recovery operations across the country.
Law Enforcement Leaders Praise Collaboration
San Antonio Police Chief William McManus applauded the joint effort, noting that collaboration among local, state, and federal agencies was crucial to the mission’s success.
“Every suspect arrested, juvenile returned home, and survivor taken out of harm’s way matters,” McManus said. “This operation demonstrates what can be achieved when law enforcement agencies unite to protect children.”
Experts Warn of Widespread Trafficking and Online Exploitation
Kirsta Leeberg-Melton, founder and CEO of the Institute to Combat Trafficking, told Fox News Digital that the operation sheds light on a persistent and growing issue across Texas.
“Trafficking is something that the city of San Antonio, the state of Texas, and the nation have been grappling with for a considerable period of time,” she said.
Leeberg-Melton explained that traffickers often target children facing instability—those without reliable housing, food, or family support—by offering material assistance and later coercing them into exploitation.
“They exploit these needs by offering help and then calling in debts, forcing kids into sex or labor trafficking,” she added.
She also cautioned that trafficking is not limited to border areas or foreign nationals.
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“American citizens can traffic American citizens on American soil,” Leeberg-Melton said. “The biggest myth is that it happens somewhere else — and it happens to someone else.”
Technology and Sextortion Fuel Modern Trafficking
Experts say traffickers have become increasingly sophisticated, using technology and social media to recruit, manipulate, and control victims.
“As technology advances, traffickers are early adopters,” Leeberg-Melton said. “The internet allows them to connect with victims and buyers far beyond their local area.”
She also pointed to “sextortion”—where perpetrators use coercion or threats to demand sexual acts or images—as a growing form of trafficking.
“When someone threatens to expose personal information or photos unless more are sent, that’s a form of trafficking,” she said.
Public Urged to Remain Vigilant
Authorities are urging the public to stay alert and report any suspicious activity related to missing children or trafficking.
If you suspect someone is a victim of human trafficking, call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888 or report online at humantraffickinghotline.org.
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