HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. – Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister and Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced Wednesday the results of “Operation Relentless Summer,” a multi-week law enforcement initiative targeting human trafficking and child predators.
The joint effort ran from June 8 to August 5, 2026, combining resources from the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office Human Trafficking Section, Internet Predator Squad, and Sexual Predator Unit.
Investigators carried out residential search warrants, monitored dark web activity, conducted undercover online operations, executed hotel stings, and performed sex offender checks. Over the two-month period, detectives made 116 arrests and recovered five victims of human trafficking.
Among those taken into custody was Frank Amiekumo, 35. Authorities allege Amiekumo trafficked three adult women and two juvenile girls across Texas, Louisiana, and Florida over a four-year period. Detectives suspect additional victims may exist. Amiekumo is held at Orient Road Jail without bond.
“Human trafficking is a crime that thrives in the shadows, and operations like this one shine a light on it,” Chronister said during the press briefing. “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.”
State officials emphasized the role of joint prosecution in handling the cases.
“These human traffickers and child predators prey on the most vulnerable in our communities, exploiting women and children for their own gain,” Uthmeier said. “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.”
Victim advocacy organizations Selah Freedom and One More Child assisted law enforcement by providing support services to recovered victims throughout the initiative.
According to department figures, HCSO’s Human Trafficking Section has recorded 1,343 arrests since its creation in 2021. The Internet Predator Unit and Sexual Predator Unit, both established in 2024, have recorded 368 and 236 arrests respectively.
Authorities ask anyone with relevant information or potential victims to contact detectives at (813) 247-8200.
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