SWEETWATER, Fla. — Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier said Tuesday that his office has significantly increased efforts to combat human trafficking and child exploitation, pointing to record numbers of arrests, convictions and prison sentences across the state.
Speaking at a news conference in Sweetwater alongside law enforcement officials, business leaders and anti-trafficking advocates, Uthmeier highlighted what he described as major gains in prosecuting traffickers and child predators.
“We prosecute to the absolute fullest,” he said. “We don’t give out plea deals when people go after our kids. They need us to protect them and if you abuse that, you’re going to face the wrath of our prosecutors and law enforcement.”
Uthmeier said Florida has the right people in place to “take down these bad guys” and credited partnerships with local law enforcement agencies, nonprofits and advocacy groups for helping victims and pursuing criminal cases.
According to Uthmeier, human trafficking arrests and convictions have both increased by more than 30% since he took office, setting records for the state.
He said his office has participated in more than 1,600 arrests involving individuals accused of child abuse, child exploitation and the trafficking of women and children.
He also highlighted several recent operations, including Operation Dragon Eye, a joint effort with the U.S. Marshals Service that rescued more than 60 missing children in Florida last year. Uthmeier said a separate operation in November resulted in the recovery of 120 children across the state.
In Polk County, authorities arrested 230 alleged traffickers and predators during a recent operation, he said.
Statewide, Uthmeier said prosecutions have increased charges by more than 54%, while the number of defendants charged has risen by more than 30%. Total prison time imposed has increased by more than 10%.
Combined, those cases have resulted in sentences totaling more than 3,275 years in prison and more than $53 million in fines and restitution recovered over the past year, according to Uthmeier.
Local 10 viewers can watch the full news conference in the video below.
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