We recently received some good news about our efforts to stop trafficking and rescue survivors. Florida earned an A grade from Shared Hope International for our anti-human trafficking laws and advances made to protect children from these horrific crimes.
The report highlights Florida’s strong statutes criminalizing child sex trafficking and the specialized training our law enforcement officers receive to investigate these crimes.
While this is an encouraging report, we need to do more. We must end trafficking in Florida, especially since we will be hosting not one, but two upcoming Super Bowls. These championship games, like many other nationwide events, attract criminals trying to exploit the festivities to sell people for sex or labor.
This infuriates me and I am committed to doing everything in my power to prevent human trafficking at these events or anywhere else in our state. We are partnering with Uber to train their drivers to be our eyes and ears on the road, so they can spot and report human trafficking. We partnered with truck drivers who have already proven to be a valuable weapon in this important fight.
I also serve on the Miami Super Bowl Host Committee’s Executive Leadership Team in charge of anti-trafficking efforts. We will continue to work aggressively from now until the 2020 Super Bowl to make sure Miami is prepared.
You can help us. Go to YouCanStopHT.com and learn how to spot trafficking and where to report it. By joining us in the fight to end human trafficking, you can help us build a stronger, safer Florida.
In The News
Florida attorney general, FTC get $1M in restitution for small businesses affected by nationwide scam, Tampa Bay Business Journal
Restitution available for Florida businesses, WEAR Pensacola
FIGHT fentanyl, save lives: AG Ashley Moody pushes to combat opioid crisis, WJXT Jacksonville
Cyberattack against city of Pensacola is ransomware attack, officials confirm, Pensacola News Journal
Danger imminent if schools don’t comply now with safety laws, grand jury report says, Sun Sentinel
Polk County Human Trafficking, Prostitution Sting Nabs 124, WUSF Public Media
Protecting Floridians
Attorney General Ashley Moody and the Federal Trade Commission secured more than $1 million in restitution for small businesses targeted in a nationwide imposter scheme. Thomas Henry Fred, Jr., and his affiliated businesses, sent thousands of letters to small businesses designed to look like…
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Attorney General Ashley Moody issued the following statement regarding the Second Interim Report of the 20th Statewide Grand Jury:
“As Attorney General and as a mother, the safety of our children is of paramount importance to me and this latest Grand Jury report confirms what many…
Attorney General Ashley Moody’s Office of Statewide Prosecution secured a 67-year prison sentence for Demarcus Marsh, the third defendant guilty of a smash-and-dash gun store burglary. In May, a jury convicted Marsh, as well as Jehosthat Brady and Quinton Montgomery, for burglary of a…
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Matthew Harrell has pleaded guilty to healthcare fraud and aggravated identity theft charges related to fraudulent claims filed with the Georgia, Florida, and Louisiana Medicaid programs.
Attorney General Ashley Moody said, “This fraudster deployed a scheme to steal the identities…
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The 143rd basic recruit class of the Florida Highway Patrol graduated from the FHP Training Academy. These 38 Troopers join the more than 1,900 Troopers who patrol Florida’s roads each day to provide safety and security to residents and visitors.
Members of the 143rd basic recruit…
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Crime is down across Florida according to the 2019 Semi-Annual Uniform Crime Report. The report shows Florida’s crime volume dropped 6.1 percent, or 17,079 fewer reported index crimes, compared to the first six months of 2018.
Attorney General Ashley Moody said, “Because…
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