More than 1,000 nabbed in US sex trafficking sting

More than 1,000 arrests were made from June 28 to July 31 in a national sting across 37 states targeting sex trafficking.

The National Johns Suppression Initiative ran its 14th operation during four days and included 37 law enforcement agencies leading to 1,020 arrests of sex buyers, according to a Cook County sheriff’s office release.

Fifteen of those arrested face trafficking-related charges, and 81 people — 75 adults and six juveniles — were recused and offered help.

In Cook County, 141 sex buyers were arrested, the release said.

Cook County sheriff’s police worked with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to shut down three brothels, where three people were arrested for operating it and six victims were offered help, the release said.

Out of the 141 Cook County arrests, three of the suspects were pimps, the release mentioned. In Broadview, 12 people were arrested; 15 in Lansing; 18 in Matteson; eight in Rosemont; five in Arlington Heights; and 19 in Lake County, officials said.