As Florida’s Attorney General, I am committed to working with our law enforcement partners to stop human trafficking and rescue survivors. This week, I joined St. Petersburg Police Chief Anthony Holloway to announce the arrest of seven individuals on human trafficking charges involving a Florida teenager. The victim in this case was lured away from his family with promises of a better life. Instead, he was moved into a filthy trailer and used as a sex slave for nearly a year.
Thanks to the great collaborative work between law enforcement and our Office of Statewide Prosecution, the teenage victim in this case has been rescued and is receiving specialized trauma-informed care designed for victims of human trafficking at a Florida safe house.
As a mother, I am extremely disturbed by the facts of this case, and I pledge to work daily with our prosecutors and great law enforcement partners to end this abhorrent crime. Serving as Chair of Florida’s Statewide Council on Human Trafficking, I will bring together all of our partners in an effort to spot trends, stay one step ahead of traffickers and identify resources to help survivors thrive.
January is Human Trafficking Prevention Month, and in closing, I pledge that I will fight tirelessly to stop these evil acts that take away people’s basic human rights—and do everything in my power to see that anyone caught engaging in human trafficking is brought to justice.
In The News
St. Pete police: Six arrested after boy held prisoner, sexually battered, Tampa Bay Times
7th suspect in St. Pete sex slave case in custody, WFLA
Gaming App Used By Florida Sex Traffickers To Lure Teen, AG Ashley Moody Calls Details ‘Disturbing’, Space Coast Daily
‘Fortnite’: Florida Man Used Online Game to Lure Teen for Child Pornography, Attorney General Says, Newsweek
Florida man faces child pornography charges; victim contacted through Fortnite, Palm Beach Post
Wednesday Editorial: Moody is acting quickly on major issues, Florida Times-Union
Protecting Floridians
Attorney General Ashley Moody named 18 experts and community leaders to serve on the Opioid Abuse Working Group, including previously named Chair, Sheriff Dennis…
“As Attorney General, one of my top priorities is to combat the opioid epidemic. Therefore, one of my first actions in my role is to announce these experts from across the state who will find solutions to fight this crisis. These individuals care deeply about the safety of all Floridians and…
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Attorney General Ashley Moody’s Office of Statewide Prosecution and the Drug Enforcement Administration announced the arrests of two drug traffickers transporting methamphetamine, heroin and fentanyl into Florida. DEA agents, working with the Office of Statewide Prosecution, arrested…
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Attorney General Ashley Moody’s Office of Statewide Prosecution announced the arrest of a man accused of offenses related to unlawful sex with a minor including 22 counts of child pornography. Anthony Gene Thomas, 41, of Broward County, allegedly engaged in sexual activity with a minor and…
“This case is unsettling, not only because it involves child pornography, but also because a popular online game was used to communicate with the victim. We have reason to believe there could be additional victims, and I am asking anyone with information about the recruiting of minors for…
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Attorney General Ashley Moody’s Office of Statewide Prosecution and the Polk County Sheriff’s Office announced the arrests of eight people working…
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Attorney General Ashley Moody’s Office of Statewide Prosecution announced the sentencing of a habitual offender, Andrelo Witcher, to 30 years in prison for the disappearance of a past girlfriend, Heather Ann MacCrossen, more than a decade ago. On Friday, Alachua County Circuit Judge Mark…
"Cold cases are some of the most difficult crimes to solve, but due to the hard work of law enforcement and prosecutors this decade old case is now closed, and a violent criminal will be kept off the streets. I am grateful for our Office of Statewide Prosecution, the local state…
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