A multi-state child sex trafficking investigation has led to the rescue of two 15-year-old victims and the arrest of three men, according to police. The extensive operation spanned multiple Arizona cities and involved law enforcement efforts across state lines.
Frankie Feliz, 22, and Akeem Blackwell, 31, were arrested on Thursday, each facing child sex trafficking charges. A third suspect, Donte Lofton, 32, had been arrested in September on similar charges. Police say the investigation led to the rescue of the two teenage victims.
Investigators stated that the two 15-year-old victims knew each other from a group home located in Peoria. Court documents allege that Feliz and Blackwell checked into a Phoenix motel with the teens. They later reportedly took the victims to 27th Avenue, an area known as a sex trafficking corridor.
One of the teenage victims was located and rescued in Indio, California, while she was with Lofton. The ongoing investigation subsequently led detectives to Feliz and Blackwell, who were found and arrested at a Glendale Walmart. It was at this location that the second teenage victim was rescued.
Peoria police contributed to the investigation by using license plate reader technology. This technology assisted investigators in tracking the 32-year-old man, identified as Lofton, across state lines during the course of the probe.
Both Frankie Feliz and Akeem Blackwell currently remain in custody. Bond for each man has been set at $500,000.
Shanna Parker, CEO of Angels Go to Work, an organization dedicated to supporting young trafficking victims, highlighted the complexities involved in helping those affected. Parker, herself a trafficking survivor, explained that building trust with vulnerable teens is a critical component of their recovery process. She noted that communication with victims can be particularly challenging, especially when traffickers actively monitor their phones.
Angels Go to Work has a decade-long history of supporting juvenile sex trafficking victims in Arizona. According to their website, the organization has assisted more than 250 confirmed victims. Their efforts have also supported victims through trials that have collectively resulted in traffickers receiving a combined total of 1,200 years in prison.
Parker emphasized the pervasive nature of trafficking, stating, "Anywhere there is trafficking, they're looking for young kids." She added that, particularly for teenagers, this age group is specifically what many buyers are seeking. Parker also shed light on the extreme dangers associated with escaping trafficking situations. She explained that victims often do not know where to turn for help, or how to escape without risking their lives. She stressed that these operations are highly sophisticated and clarified, "It is not about sex. It's about money." Parker concluded that human trafficking is a money-driven problem that exists wherever human beings are present.
