In a historic operation that will forever change the lives of 60 children, U.S. Marshals under President Trump’s Justice Department have just completed the largest child trafficking rescue in American history right in the heart of Florida.
Operation Dragon Eye, a two-week mission in Tampa Bay, successfully recovered 60 critically missing children aged 9 to 17 while arresting eight traffickers on various charges including human trafficking and child endangerment. This unprecedented effort, led by the U.S. Marshals Service with 20 partner agencies, is being called the most successful child recovery operation in USMS history. The rescued children, many of whom were being sexually exploited, are now receiving critical medical and psychological care, as Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier promises harsh consequences for those who victimize children in the Sunshine State.
Trump Administration’s War on Child Trafficking Yields Historic Results
Operation Dragon Eye represents the Trump Justice Department’s most successful effort to date in combating the scourge of child trafficking. The initiative, announced on June 23, 2025, targeted the Tampa Bay area with laser precision.
The operation rescued 60 critically missing children between the ages of 9 and 17 from Hillsborough, Pinellas, and Pasco counties. According to officials, 69% of these children were missing from their communities, while 31% had disappeared from foster homes.
William Berger, who oversaw the operation, could barely contain his pride when announcing the results. “I have to curtail my enthusiasm because of the sensitivity of the victims involved in this operation, but the successful recovery of 60 missing children, complemented with the arrest of eight individuals, including child predators, signifies the most successful missing child recovery effort in the history of the United States Marshals Service; or to my knowledge, any other similar operation held in the United States,” Berger stated.
The operation also resulted in eight arrests on serious charges including human trafficking, child endangerment, drug possession, and drug trafficking. The individuals apprehended are now facing justice through Florida’s robust legal system, which has been strengthened under Republican leadership.
Florida Leads Nation in Protecting Children from Exploitation
While Florida unfortunately ranks among the top three states for reported human trafficking cases alongside California and Texas, the Sunshine State has taken aggressive action under conservative leadership. Governor Ron DeSantis and state lawmakers have consistently increased funding and enacted stricter penalties to combat trafficking.
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier made the state’s position crystal clear: “The real heroes behind this operation are the law enforcement who built and executed this mission. As your Attorney General and a father of three young kids, protecting children is my top priority. If you victimize children, you’re going to prison, end of story.”
Operation Dragon Eye was the most successful missing child recovery operation in American history.
FDLE agents and analysts were proud to help @USMarshalsHQ bring home 60 children during this operation.
Florida doesn’t look the other way—we hunt predators and bring kids home. pic.twitter.com/KijFyF8yoy
— FDLE (@fdlepio) June 23, 2025
Operation Dragon Eye involved an impressive coalition of agencies, including the Florida Attorney General’s Office, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children. This multi-disciplinary approach brought together federal, state, and local law enforcement with social service agencies to maximize effectiveness.
Florida Department of Law Enforcement Commissioner Mark Glass delivered a powerful message to would-be traffickers: “Sixty kids saved. That number sends the message that Florida will never be a safe place for traffickers.”
Horrific Realities Exposed in Trafficking Investigation
The operation revealed disturbing details about the exploitation these children endured. Reports indicate that some of the young girls rescued were pregnant by their traffickers, highlighting the horrific abuse many victims suffered.
Each rescued child has received immediate physical and psychological evaluations, with authorities implementing long-term care plans to help them recover from their traumatic experiences. The comprehensive support system demonstrates Florida’s commitment to not just rescuing victims but helping them heal.
“The success of Operation DRAGON EYE is a testament to what’s possible when agencies unite with a shared mission to protect children,” said Callahan Walsh of the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, one of the key partners in the initiative.
Since 2015, the U.S. Marshals Service has located or recovered more than 3,967 missing children nationwide. This operation adds significantly to that tally while sending a strong message about the Trump administration’s commitment to eradicating child trafficking.
Law enforcement officials have emphasized that the fight continues, with ongoing efforts to locate missing children and dismantle trafficking networks across Florida and the nation. The successful operation serves as a blueprint for future initiatives.
Conservative Leadership Makes the Difference in Fighting Evil
Operation Dragon Eye’s success highlights the effectiveness of conservative approaches to law enforcement and child protection. While liberal jurisdictions often focus on decriminalizing various offenses, Florida’s tough-on-crime stance has yielded concrete results in protecting society’s most vulnerable members.
The initiative focused on three specific goals: recovering missing youth, providing essential services to victims, and deterring future exploitation. By all measures, the operation exceeded expectations and demonstrated the importance of prioritizing law enforcement resources toward protecting children.
60 Children were recovered in an operation they are calling Dragon Eye.
This has been absent from the news. Ask yourself why. pic.twitter.com/8e3eOBxukQ— AC_Truth (@truth_ac) June 24, 2025
Authorities have assured families with missing children that efforts will continue beyond Operation Dragon Eye. The comprehensive approach established during this operation will serve as a model for future initiatives targeting child trafficking throughout Florida and potentially across the nation.
As the nation continues to combat the evil of child trafficking, Operation Dragon Eye stands as a powerful example of what can be accomplished when conservative values guide law enforcement priorities. The message is clear: in Florida, those who prey on children will face the full force of justice.
Sources:
Operation Dragon Eye rescues 60 ‘critically missing’ Florida children, officials say
Trump Marshals Rescue Dozens of Children From Sex Trafficking Ring.