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Documented on the original SlaveryMap (2008–2016). We don’t have a verifiable source on file yet. Know one?
What happened
This conviction is the result of Operation Guardian Angel, a unique undercover law enforcement investigation targeting the demand for child prostitutes in the Kansas City metro area. As a result of this investigation, a total of seven defendants were indicted in federal prosecution of the alleged customers of child prostitution under the Trafficking Victims Protection Act. During the weekend of March 5 to 7, 2009, the Human Trafficking Rescue Project, led by the Independence Police Department, conducted a sting operation targeting local customers who solicit pimps to engage in commercial sex acts with children. The “children” were advertised online at Craig’s List. No real children were actually involved in the sting.
Response and intervention
On July 15, 2009, Childers pleaded guilty to attempting to obtain a minor for a commercial sex act. Childers also admitted that he used the Internet and a cell phone to attempt to induce a child to engage in prostitution, and that he traveled across state lines to attempt to engage in a commercial sex act with a minor. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Cynthia L. Cordes. It was investigated by the Independence, Mo., Police Department, the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in conjunction with the Human Trafficking Rescue Project. There wasn't an actual child used in the sting, nor a victim.