'Operation Freedom': 64 arrested in human trafficking sting in Fort Bend County during July

PHOTOS: "Operation Freedom' mugshots

A joint investigation conducted local, state and federal agencies yielded 64 human trafficking-related arrests during the month of July in the Fort Bend County area.

>>>See mugshots of the accused... less PHOTOS: "Operation Freedom' mugshots

A joint investigation conducted local, state and federal agencies yielded 64 human trafficking-related arrests during the month of July in the Fort Bend County ... more Photo: Fort Bend County District Attorney's Office Photo: Fort Bend County District Attorney's Office Image 1 of / 47 Caption Close 'Operation Freedom': 64 arrested in human trafficking sting in Fort Bend County during July 1 / 47 Back to Gallery

A joint investigation conducted by 22 agencies at the local, state and federal level yielded 64 human trafficking-related arrests during the month of July in the Fort Bend County area.

The investigation, called "Operation Freedom," led to the rescue of five adults and two juvenile girls ages 15-17. Charges filed in the operation include the promotion of prostitution, compelling prostitution, various narcotics charges, evading, fraud, forgery and failure to identify, according to officials with the Fort Bend County District Attorney's Office. Each offense was linked to human trafficking, officials said.

Four criminal gang members and an active law enforcement officer were among those arrested. Officials said the investigation is still ongoing and more charges, including federal charges, could be filed.

"No one is above the law," Houston Police Department Sgt John Wall with the Human Trafficking Rescue Alliance said during a press conference Friday. "Buying sex is illegal."

The Operation Freedom task force also worked with social service agencies to assist the trafficking victims who were swept up in the investigation. Officials said the victims were provided with a full array of services that included sexual assault examinations.

"We will continue to conduct these type of operations like Operation Freedom simply because the fact is, the more we look, the more victims we find," Wall said. "This crime will no longer be tolerated."

Fort Bend County District Attorney Brian Middleton echoed Sgt. Wall's sentiments at the conference and said agencies are committed to eradicating human trafficking in Fort Bend County.

"If you are in Fort Bend County and committing these crimes, time is up," Middleton said.

Fort Bend County prosecutors said the trafficking was detected primarily through undercover social media stings and called the suspects "sophisticated" traffickers that groom young children through a variety of online apps.

"The grooming process happens on social media, Facebook, Snapchat, Instagram... I can't begin to name the number of apps these people are targeting young juveniles as young as 12 all the way up to their teens [on]," Fort Bend County Assistant District Attorney Jenna Rudoff said. "These victims come from all kinds of backgrounds. What is common is they are being targeted and recruited through social media."

"Operation Freedom" was focused on Fort Bend County and was led by Middleton's office, but officials said they will work the U.S. Attorney's Office to determine if any federal charges could be filed against the arrested men.

Middleton called "Operation Freedom" a "big success." While it officially ended, investigators and prosecutors are still at work and additional charges may be filed, officials said.

Click through the photos above for mugshots of the arrested suspects...

NOTE: Not all of those arrested could be released due to ongoing prosecution, per the Fort Bend County District Attorney's Office.