Three girls arrested in local sex trade sweep

Three girls were arrested on charges of prostitution during a four-day roundup of those involved in the sex trade industry in the valley, Las Vegas police said Thursday.

Sgt. Gil Shannon with the Metropolitan Police Department's Vice Section said the sweep, which took place June 19-22, was intended to rescue children caught in the sex trade.

"Even one is successful when you're taking children off streets who are engaging in prostitution," Shannon said.

In addition, 61 adult prostitutes and five pimps were arrested locally during the sweep, dubbed "Operation Cross Country."

Shannon wouldn't disclose where the three girls were taken, saying only, "We have them in a safe location."

He also wouldn't specify the girls' ages other than to say they were younger than 18.

Shannon said the arrests made only a small dent in the local prostitution market. He estimated that thousands of prostitutes work throughout the Las Vegas Valley.

Shannon said 37 agents with the FBI and Las Vegas police collaborated to make the local arrests.

Nationally, 345 people, including 290 adult prostitutes, were arrested in the sweep in Atlanta, Detroit, Los Angeles, Miami and other cities.

In Reno, agents arrested 13 adults.