More than 1,000 arrested in sex trafficking sting

More than 1,000 arrests were made during a monthlong period in a sex trafficking sting, CNN reported.

A pastor and a state trooper were among those arrested as part of the National Johns Suppression Initiative, a series of stings aimed at reducing sex trafficking in the United States. Police also cracked down on three brothels in Illinois and arrested a convicted child molester in Seattle, CNN reported.

The sting operation was conducted from June 28 through July 31. The most arrests were made in Harris County, Texas, with 170 people jailed. There were 160 arrests in Seattle, CNN reported

Cook County, Illinois, Sheriff Thomas J. Dart said 37 law enforcement agencies across 17 states rescued 81 adult and juvenile victims. At least 1,020 sex buyers were arrested, and 15 people face trafficking-related charges, he told CNN.

The National Johns Suppression Initiative operations have led to the arrests of nearly 8,000 sex buyers since 2011, Dart said.

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