Child Sex Trafficking Rescue: FBI Saves 105 Victims in ‘Operation Cross Country’, Michael Madison Indicted For Deaths Of 3 Ohio Women

Child Sex Trafficking Rescue: FBI Saves 105 Victims in ‘Operation Cross Country’ 07/29/2013

child sex trafficking rescue

The FBI has rescued 105 child sex-trafficking victims, FBI Assistant Director Ronald Hosko announced Monday.

The youngest of the rescued children was 9 years old, according to Reuters….

“Many times the children that are taken in in these types of criminal activities are children that are disaffected, they are from broken homes, they may be on the street themselves,” FBI Acting Executive Assistant Director Kevin Perkins said, according to the network. “They are really looking for a meal, they are looking for shelter, they are looking for someone to take care of them.”

Another victim, identified as “Alex,” told interviewers she became a prostitute at the age of 16, when she felt she had no other options to feed and clothe herself.

The raids also resulted in the arrests of 150 “pimps” and other individuals, according to an FBI press release.

The rescues were the product of Operation Cross Country, a three-day nationwide initiative to aid victims of underage prostitution….

Since 2003, the Innocence Lost National Initiative has netted the rescue of more than 2,700 children.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/07/29/child-sex-trafficking-rescue-fbi-announcement_n_3670749.html

Michael Madison Indicted For Deaths Of 3 Ohio Women
By REGINA GARCIA CANO 07/29/13
COLUMBUS, Ohio — A man accused in the deaths of three women whose bodies were found wrapped in trash bags was indicted Monday on 14 counts including multiple charges of aggravated murder and kidnapping.

Michael Madison is being charged in connection with the deaths of Shirellda H. Terry, Angela H. Deskins and Shetisha D. Sheeley….

A Cuyahoga County grand jury charged Madison with six counts of aggravated murder, two for each victim under different legal theories, plus three counts of kidnapping, three counts of gross abuse of a corpse, one count of rape and one count of having weapons under disability, the county prosecutor’s office announced Monday….

The indictment states that Madison raped Terry between July 10 and July 19. Terry’s family has said she was last seen July 10, leaving a Cleveland elementary school where she had a summer job.

Madison was classified as a sex offender in 2002, when he was sentenced to four years in prison for attempted rape, according to Cuyahoga County court records. He had previous convictions in 2000 and 2001 for drug-related charges….
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/07/29/michael-madison-indicted-_n_3673198.html

Ariel Castro victims relieved by guilty plea, Cleveland Kidnapping Update: Victim could face Ariel Castro in court, source tells CBS

Ariel Castro victims relieved by guilty plea
Marisol Bello and Laura Petrecca, USA TODAY July 26, 2013

The three women whom Ariel Castro kidnapped, raped and tortured over an 11-year span are relieved by his guilty plea that spares them from testifying.

The three Cleveland women kidnapped, raped and tortured by Ariel Castro over an 11-year span are relieved that his guilty plea spares them from testifying.

Amanda Berry, Gina DeJesus and Michelle Knight “are satisfied by this resolution to the case, and are looking forward to having these legal proceedings draw to a final close in the near future,” said a statement released by the law firm Jones Day, which is representing the women.

“They continue to desire their privacy. They do not wish to speak to the media or anyone else, and they thank people for continuing to respect their privacy as they grow stronger,” the statement said.

Castro, 53, pleaded guilty Friday to 937 criminal counts of kidnapping, rape and aggravated murder. The terms of the plea mean he will likely receive life in prison with no possibility for parole, plus 1,000 years. He will be formally sentenced Thursday.

Mental health and legal experts say it is a good thing the women do not have to testify….
http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/07/26/ariel-castro-guilty-plea-victims/2590451/

Cleveland Kidnapping Update: Victim could face Ariel Castro in court, source tells CBS  July 26, 2013  By Crimesider Staff

(CBS/AP) CLEVELAND – One of the three Cleveland kidnapping victims is set to testify against the man charged with holding them captive for up to ten years in his home, a source tells CBS News. It would be their first meeting between victim and captor since the three women escaped from the Cleveland home on May 6.

As part of a plea deal yet to be accepted by a judge, Ariel Castro pleaded guilty to holding the three women captive for about a decade.

Sources tell CBS News’ investigative unit that one of the three women is expected to testify live in court during the Thursday hearing, during which Ariel Castro will be formally sentenced. The two other women may confront Castro via video, though those plans have not yet been finalized….

As a part of the deal, Castro pleaded guilty Friday to 937 charges, including aggravated murder, kidnapping and rape….

Earlier Friday, the three women said they are relieved that Ariel Castro has pleaded guilty to the charges that will keep him in prison for life.

“Amanda, Gina, and Michelle are relieved by today’s plea,” read a statement released Friday by a law firm representing the women. “They are satisfied by this resolution to the case, and are looking forward to having these legal proceedings draw to a final close in the near future. ”
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504083_162-57595767-504083/cleveland-kidnapping-update-victim-could-face-ariel-castro-in-court-source-tells-cbs/