Two Jackson residents were arrested and charged with sex trafficking of children, announced U.S. Attorney Gregory K. Davis. Justin D. Hurst, 25, and Audrey Lashay Tillman, 27, both of Jackson, were held without bond pending a detention hearing scheduled for Thursday, June 26 at 2:00 p.m. before U.S. Magistrate Judge Linda R. Anderson.
The arrests were made as part of a nationwide enforcement initiative called “Operation Cross Country VIII” aimed at deterring child exploitation throughout the United States. On June 19, 2014, the FBI Child Exploitation Task Force conducted an undercover operation in Ridgeland, Mississippi, where undercover officers responded to an internet ad on a site known to law enforcement to be used for prostitution.
As a result of the operation, a 15-year-old girl and a 17-year-old girl, both victims of child sex trafficking, were rescued by law enforcement when they were brought to a Ridgeland, Mississippi hotel. The victims were taken into protective custody and are receiving support and services to help them recover from their ordeal.
“Operation Cross Country VIII” is a major effort by law enforcement agencies across the country to combat the sex trafficking of children. The operation involves hundreds of law enforcement agencies and is aimed at identifying and rescuing victims of sex trafficking, as well as arresting and prosecuting those responsible for these heinous crimes.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office is committed to protecting the rights of victims of federal crimes and ensuring that they receive the support and services they need to recover. If you or someone you know has been a victim of sex trafficking, there are resources available to help. The National Human Trafficking Hotline can be reached at 1-888-373-7888.
The FBI and other law enforcement agencies are working tirelessly to combat the sex trafficking of children and bring those responsible to justice. This case is a reminder that sex trafficking is a serious crime that can have devastating consequences for victims and their families.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office would like to thank the FBI and other law enforcement agencies for their hard work and dedication to this case. We are committed to working together to keep our communities safe and bring those responsible for these heinous crimes to justice.
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Key Facts
- State: Mississippi
- Category: Sex Crimes|Human Trafficking
- Source: DOJ Press Release ↗
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