Operation Relentless Summer, 5 Victims Recovered

Sheriff Chad Chronister and the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, joined by Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier, announced the results of “Operation Relentless Summer” during a press conference on Wednesday morning.

From June 8 to August 5, 2026, HCSO’s Human Trafficking Section, Internet Predator Squad, and Sexual Predator Unit worked together to identify and arrest individuals preying on children, women, and vulnerable members of the community. The operation resulted in 116 arrests and the recovery of five victims of human trafficking.

Detectives carried out multiple enforcement strategies during the operation, including residential search warrants, warrants connected to dark web activity, undercover online chat and hotel/motel operations, traveling-to-meet-a-minor investigations, and sex offender checks.

Among those arrested was Frank Amiekumo, 35, who is accused of trafficking women and girls across Texas, Louisiana, and Florida for approximately four years. Detectives identified five victims in the case, three adult women and two juvenile girls, and believe additional victims may not yet have come forward. Amiekumo is being held at Orient Road Jail on no bond.

“Human trafficking is a crime that thrives in the shadows, and operations like this one shine a light on it,” said Sheriff Chad Chronister. “This work is not merely a job, it’s a mission, a mission to protect and preserve the very fabric of our community. Every arrest made during Operation Relentless Summer represents a predator who is no longer a threat to the families of Hillsborough County.”

“These human traffickers and child predators prey on the most vulnerable in our communities, exploiting women and children for their own gain,” said Attorney General James Uthmeier. “Thanks to the outstanding work of the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office and the Office of Statewide Prosecution, 116 of these criminals are behind bars, five victims have been rescued, and one trafficker is facing three life sentences. Florida has zero tolerance for this evil, and we will continue to hunt down every last one of them.”

Selah Freedom and One More Child provided victim services throughout the operation. 

Since the Human Trafficking Section’s inception in 2021, it has made 1,343 arrests. The Internet Predator Unit, established in 2024, has made 368 arrests, and the Sexual Predator Unit, also established in 2024, has made 236 arrests.

Anyone who believes they may have information about these cases or may have been victimized is asked to contact detectives at (813) 247-8200.

Any additional information on this operation will come from the Public Affairs Office.