Georgia Operation H.O.O.K. Nets 11 Arrests for Human Trafficking

Georgia law enforcement agencies, including the Georgia Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, and the Whitfield County Sheriff’s Office, conducted "Operation H.O.O.K." (Hands Off Our Kids), a four-day undercover sting from October 2 to October 6, 2025, targeting online sexual predators exploiting children. The operation focused on identifying individuals who engaged in sexually explicit communication with minors, arranged sex acts, or intended to travel to meet children for sex, including those willing to purchase sex with minors. Eleven individuals, ranging from 24 to 56 years old and from various professions such as truck drivers, engineers, and factory workers, were arrested and charged with crimes including human trafficking for sexual servitude under Georgia law (OCGA 16-5-46). The investigation revealed offenders using social media, messaging apps, and websites to initiate contact and groom minors, both boys and girls, for exploitation. This coordinated effort involved 14 agencies and relied on thousands of child exploitation CyberTips to protect children from online predators and bring perpetrators to justice. The arrests underscore a strong, multi-agency commitment to combating child exploitation and human trafficking in Georgia.