-Angelot Ndongmo-

Cousins!

Five missing and endangered teens, all females from 14-17 years of age, were located and rescued in New Orleans as a result of a multi agency effort under U.S. Marshals ‘Operation Boo Dat 2021’.

CNN reports the annual operation was a huge undertaking that involved “the US Marshals Service, the New Orleans Police Department, Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office, Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office, Louisiana State Police and USMS New Orleans Task Force.”

During a press release, the U.S. Marshals stated their initiative from mid-October to December 24 led to 30 arrests; 17 of them were suspected felony sex offender registration violations. One of the arrested suspects was identified as a Tier 3 sex offender and on the wanted list, due to his alleged rape of a 12 year old girl in an abandoned home located in New Orleans. The individual has to register as a sex offender for life, as he also attempted to rape a woman in a public library bathroom.

Another one of the suspects was wanted for alleged aggravated sexual assault on a 14 year old out in San Patricio County Texas. The U.S. Marshal added “During Operation Boo Dat over one hundred sex offender compliance checks were also attempted or completed in Orleans and Jefferson Parishes.

Sex offender compliance checks, require law enforcement officers to go to the sex offender’s reported address of residence, to verify that the person still lives at the provided address. Often countless hours of follow up investigative work are required during and after a compliance check.

Since two of the victims were siblings, they suspect they may be victims of adult(s) felony criminal sexual activities. Another one of the victims was a runaway. She allegedly stole a car and gun from her family. When she was found, she was inside a residence with many adults and strip club dancer. Two of the victims had possible sex trafficking ties.

It is important to note sex offenders are required by law, to register with the National Sex Offender Registry and update it any time they have an address change or travel.