Over 30 juveniles were located by authorities.
SAN ANTONIO — Several missing children and teens were discovered amid a first of its kinds joint operation between the San Antonio Police Department and the U.S. Marshals Office, according to a press release.
The joint operation, called “Operation Lighting Bug” ran from July 28 through August 15. Officials say the operation began with the SAPD Missing Persons Unit, SAPD Special Victims Unit and the U.S. Marshals doing in-depth research on every missing minor in the Texas Crime Information Center and National Crime Information database for the San Antonio area.
Several departments used the information gathered to draft plans to locate the missing juveniles. Over 30 juveniles were located by the U.S. Marshals, SAPD Covert Units and SAPD Street Crimes Unit. These efforts encouraged dozens of other missing minors to return to their homes, which cleared over 120 missing juveniles from the database.
“It takes all of us, federal, state, and local partners, working together to protect children from exploitation,” Susan Pamerleau, U.S. Marshal for the Western District of Texas said in a press release. “The safety of our children is the safety of our communities, and justice demands we protect those who cannot protect themselves. Through Operation Lighting Bug, we reaffirm our promise to safeguard the most vulnerable and strengthen the safety of our communities.”
Many of the victims were interviewed by Special Victims Unit to determine if any sexual crimes had occurred. As a result of the interviews, five human trafficking investigations were opened and six sex trafficking survivors received treatment and victim services.
Officials say “Operation Lighting Bug” was a success due to the following results: three arrests for harboring runaways, nine felony arrest warrants executed, six trafficking survivors recovered and provided with services, five human trafficking investigations opened, over 30 juveniles located by officers and over 120 missing juveniles returned to their homes.
“Every suspect was arrested, juveniles returned home, and survivors taken out of harm’s way matters,” SAPD Police Chief William McManus said in a press release.