Hillsborough Sheriff's Office: 'Operation Relentless Summer' Nets 116 Arrests, Rescues 5 Human Trafficking Victims

Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) announced the results of “Operation Relentless Summer,” a multi-agency effort that led to 116 arrests and the rescue of five human trafficking victims. Sheriff Chad Chronister and Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier shared the operation's success during a press conference on Wednesday, August 12, 2026.

This significant operation, which ran from June 8 to August 5, 2026, directly impacts the safety of our community by removing individuals preying on vulnerable residents. The collaboration between HCSO’s Human Trafficking Section, Internet Predator Squad, and Sexual Predator Unit aimed to protect children, women, and other at-risk individuals.

Detectives employed various enforcement strategies during Operation Relentless Summer. These included residential search warrants, investigations into dark web activity, undercover online chats, hotel/motel operations, traveling-to-meet-a-minor investigations, and sex offender checks. These tactics helped identify and apprehend those involved in human trafficking.

Among those arrested was Frank Amiekumo, 35, who faces accusations of trafficking women and girls across Texas, Louisiana, and Florida for approximately four years. Detectives identified five victims in Amiekumo's case: three adult women and two juvenile girls. Amiekumo remains held at Orient Road Jail without bond, and officials believe additional victims may still come forward.

Sheriff Chronister emphasized the importance of such operations. “Human trafficking is a crime that thrives in the shadows, and operations like this one shine a light on it,” said Sheriff 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.” Attorney General Uthmeier added, “These human traffickers and child predators prey on the most vulnerable in our communities, exploiting women and children for their own gain.”

Residents with information regarding human trafficking or suspicious activity should contact the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office.