by Lizzy Murica at Law Enforcement Today
Operation “Fresh Start,” a three-month operation conducted by the Missing Child Unit (MCU) of the U.S. Marshals Service Eastern District of Louisiana New Orleans Task Force, has resulted in the recovery or rescue of 16 children. The unit also made five arrests and discovered alleged sex trafficking.
According to a press release from the U.S. Marshals Service, Operation “Fresh Start” was conducted from January 1, 2022 through March 31, 2022.
Participants included the U.S. Marshals Service New Orleans Task Force, the New Orleans Police Department, multiple Sheriff’s Offices, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, and Departments of Child and Family Services in Louisiana, Georgia, and Florida.
Press release author Brian W. Fair, Deputy U.S. Marshal, took note of how New Orleans has spearheaded operations such as “Fresh Start,” saying:
“New Orleans was one of the original U.S. cities to begin a USMS pilot program for the Missing Child Unit in 2016, and U.S. Marshals Service Eastern District of Louisiana Deputy U.S. Marshals have provided instruction to other USMS districts and state agencies on how to coordinate their MCU operations, which have gained national news attention within the last two years.”
The USMS also reported that, in addition to the 16 missing children who were rescued or recovered:
“six (6) children self-returned, three (3) children were recovered as other status, and three (3) more were recovered by other law enforcement agencies.”…
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