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Sex-trafficking prosecutions drop 22% in H1 2026

8/15/2026

50 12 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Sex-trafficking prosecutions fell 22 percent in H1 2026, with 73 charges filed through June.
Child-pornography charges dropped 3 percent to 1,230 while Mann Act violations fell 18 percent to 318 by June 2026.
Former prosecutors say the declines result from moving Homeland Security Investigations agents to voter-fraud work, leaving cases understaffed.
Todd Blanche, confirmed as Attorney General by a 50-49 Senate vote, met Ghislaine Maxwell, after which she was moved to a minimum-security prison.

History

Historical Context

Congress passed the Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act in 2000, and President George W. Bush’s administration reauthorized it in 2003, 2005 and 2008, expanding federal anti-trafficking tools. Decades of dedicated HSI task forces built prosecutions, but in 2026 the agency redirected staff to voter-fraud investigations, curtailing trafficking cases and prompting Congress to consider restoring dedicated resources.

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Story summary

Sex-trafficking prosecutions fell 22 percent in H1 2026, with 73 charges filed through June.
Child-pornography charges dropped 3 percent to 1,230 while Mann Act violations fell 18 percent to 318 by June 2026.
Former prosecutors say the declines result from moving Homeland Security Investigations agents to voter-fraud work, leaving cases understaffed.
Todd Blanche, confirmed as Attorney General by a 50-49 Senate vote, met Ghislaine Maxwell, after which she was moved to a minimum-security prison.

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