TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – A significant breakthrough in the battle against human trafficking and crimes involving children has been announced by Florida’s Attorney General, James Uthmeier. Spearheaded by the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office and the Office of Statewide Prosecution, the operation has already led to the arrest of 116 individuals as of now.
Officials shared in a Wednesday statement that this number is likely to increase as authorities continue to execute outstanding warrants.
During the course of their investigation, officers successfully rescued five individuals who had fallen victim to human trafficking — among them were three adults and two minors. Support services have been promptly arranged to aid their recovery and well-being.
“We maintain a zero-tolerance stance in our pursuit to apprehend traffickers and child predators who exploit our society’s most vulnerable,” declared Uthmeier. He praised the relentless efforts of local detectives and prosecutors for their success in imprisoning suspects and saving victims.
Dubbed “Operation Relentless Summer,” Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister commended the initiative as a crucial step to safeguard the community. He highlighted that each arrest signifies the removal of a predator who no longer poses a threat to the families residing in Hillsborough County.
How investigators worked the case
Authorities said the operation used a mix of proactive and warrant-based strategies, including:
Residential search warrants
Warrants tied to dark web activity
Undercover online chat investigations
“Traveling to meet a minor” investigations
Sex offender compliance checks
Officials said the tactics helped disrupt ongoing exploitation, identify people seeking to harm children, and dismantle trafficking networks.
Long-term investigation targets Tampa suspect
One significant long-term investigation focused on Frank Amiekumo, described by officials as a Liberian green card holder. Detectives took him into custody at Tampa International Airport with help from TIA Police, acting on a warrant obtained during the investigation. He is being held without bond, authorities said.
The Office of Statewide Prosecution charged Amiekumo with multiple offenses, including:
Racketeering and conspiracy to commit racketeering
Human trafficking of a minor (two counts; life felonies)
Lewd or lascivious battery (two counts)
Deriving proceeds from prostitution
Forcing, compelling, or coercing prostitution
Unlawful use of a two-way communication device to commit a felony
Tampering with a witness (life felony)
Tampering with evidence
Detectives began investigating in early April 2026 after receiving reports of suspicious calls involving sexual activity and juveniles near a Tampa residence, officials said.
The investigation alleged a pattern lasting about four years, during which Amiekumo recruited women to dance at strip clubs, with some involved in commercial sex acts or online sexually explicit platforms.
Authorities said he victimized women in Texas, Louisiana, and Florida, and allegedly obtained fake identification cards to help women work in strip clubs if they were juveniles or under 21, or to avoid detection on online commercial sex platforms.
Investigators also alleged he used violence, threats, and coercion to control victims and traffic them against their wills.
Victims rescued; prosecution underway
Officials said the investigation identified five victims connected to Amiekumo — three women and two juvenile girls — who were rescued and provided services. The investigation remains ongoing, and additional victims may be identified, authorities said.
Amiekumo’s case will be prosecuted in the 13th Judicial Circuit by Special Counsel Rita Peters with the Office of Statewide Prosecution.
Wider statewide context
State prosecutors said the case is part of broader efforts targeting crimes against children and human trafficking. Since February 2025, officials reported increased prison-year totals and multiple life sentences in both categories, alongside continued growth in case volume into 2026.
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