Almost a dozen children being prostituted or exploited through the internet were recovered in the state of Georgia through last week’s Operation Cross Country VIII.

Additionally, 71 Georgians were arrested in connection with the week-long national investigation on charges including pimping, attempted child molestation and prostitution, according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Nation-wide the FBI reports 168 children recovered and 281 alleged pimps arrested in over 100 cities.

The FBI offices in Atlanta, Macon, Augusta and Savannah worked together through their Child Exploitation Task Forces as part of the operation which seeks to end child sex trafficking.

Operation Cross Country began in 2003 as part of the Innocence Lost National Initiative and to date officials have recovered almost 3,600 children and achieved more than 1,400 convictions on related charges.

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The city of Brookhaven's mayor and City Council last week decided to remove the colored panes of glass from the dome of Brookhaven's new City Centre after residents objected to the brightness of the colors, seen here Friday, June 27, 2025. (Reed Williams/AJC)

Credit: Reed Williams/AJC

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The city of Brookhaven's mayor and City Council last week decided to remove the colored panes of glass from the dome of Brookhaven's new City Centre after residents objected to the brightness of the colors, seen here Friday, June 27, 2025. (Reed Williams/AJC)

Credit: Reed Williams/AJC