DHS uncovers, dismantles alleged child exploitation ring

An alleged online child exploitation enterprise that involved victims in 39 states and five countries was recently uncovered and dismantled by federal authorities.

Sen. Rob Portman (R-Ohio) commended the U.S. Immigration and Custom Enforcement division of the Department of Homeland Security, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the U.S. Attorney’s office in the eastern district of Louisiana for bringing one of the largest child exploitations investigations in ICE history to a head.

“I commend the Department of Homeland Security on their investigation and efforts to bring to justice those who seek to harm children,” Portman said. “We must do more to help our nation’s most vulnerable children, who far too often are preyed upon by criminals and sexually exploited. I stand ready to work with everyone involved to ensure we’re taking every measure possible to protect children from these kinds of heinous crimes and to ensure that victims receive quality and trauma-informed services and treatment.”

Portman and Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) established the Senate Caucus to End Human Trafficking in November 2012. The caucus, of which Portman and Blumenthal serve as co-chairmen, allows senators to collaborate on policies that aim to combat human trafficking and exploitation.

Portman said the Senate Caucus to End Human Trafficking would augment legislative efforts and highlight the need to enhance prevention and detection of exploitative labor practices.