Law enforcement targets underage prostitution

Teenagers being used as prostitutes in Kansas City and Wichita have been rescued as part of a nationwide law enforcement operation targeting underage prostitution, according to the FBI.

Agents from the FBI and other federal agencies as well as local police officers in Kansas and western Missouri took part in the week-long effort dubbed Operation Cross Country VIII.

Police in Kansas City, Kansas City, Kan., Topeka, Wichita, Manhattan, Springfield and Columbia were involved in the operation, which resulted in the arrests of seven alleged pimps, the FBI said.

In addition, agents and police in Kansas and western Missouri made 23 seizures of drugs and vehicles.

Nationwide, the FBI said the operation resulted in the recovery of 168 child victims and the arrests of 281 pimps.

Tony Rizzo, trizzo@kcstar.com

This story was originally published June 23, 2014 at 3:54 PM with the headline "Law enforcement targets underage prostitution."