*The podcast may contain sensitive topics. Listener discretion is advised.This podcast is a two part series. In August 2025, the U.S. Federal Government agencies including DOJ, FBI, and IRS joined with the Los Angeles Police Department to arrest 11 members of the Hoover Criminal Street Gang for sex trafficking children and adults along the Figueroa Corridor in south Los Angeles. The individuals are facing a 31 count indictment charges as well as Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act. Figueroa Corridor in Los Angeles has been a well-known area for street prostitution for many years with local officials turning a blind eye to the seriousness of the issue. Acting U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli is quoted as saying: “There are no meaningful consequences for their conduct under California State Law, so the federal government- aided by its local law enforcement partners- will step in to make sure these criminals face lengthy prison sentences. Today’s operation is the first step in returning the Figueroa Corridor - long know as prostitution haven – back to its residents who have suffered for too long while criminals were allowed to run amok."Multiple articles regarding this incident state that Amaya Armstead, a female, (aka “Lady Duck”) is the case’s lead defendant and the de factor leader of the group. She is accused of trafficking a 14-year-old girl. She is also accused of attacking and beating a young girl working for her, holding her down by the hair and kicking and kneeing her, while the young girl screamed she was pregnant. The young female victims were recruited by the Hoover Gang members through social media and personally. Many came from out of state and were seduced into believing they would live a life of luxury and be taken care of. Once they arrived they were drugged and forced to work long hours soliciting clients and performing commercial sext acts on the Figueroa Corridor. Million Kids applauds the efforts to take down these violent gang members who have been allowed to recruit and exploit young girls and operate in broad daylight. Until Federal Government Organizations joined with local law enforcement, it seemed few civic leaders would do what it takes to rescue the girls and prosecute hard core gang members who preyed on the most vulnerable. This seems to be a sex trafficking and money laundering case that deserves to be prosecuted under RICO.

We may be living in THE most important time in all ofhistory. Especially if you are a pastor,or Christian leader working with youth. Why? Because in 2022 the entire worldwas connected by 5G high speed internet at the same time as new technologieswere introduced including AI, geo location software, global money transfer andmass audience live streaming. This isthe first generation of young people in all of history that can reach theentire world AND at the same time the entire world can also reach them.

Nearly 5.5 billion people are online. Some are good, some arecriminals. Some are criminals that seeaccessing and seducing American teens will generate millions for their poorcountry. Our young people must understand the world they now live in. What anincredible call to leadership for the faith-based community.

It is indeed a calling. It is a time to have discussionsabout truth and how to recognize it. AI will make everything seem real. It is agreat opportunity to teach our youth to define (write down) their values. It isimportant to talk about digital morality. Some teens believe that what they do online doesn’t count because it isnot real. What about shooting a cop in a video game, is that ok?

This is a great opportunity to talk about grace andforgiveness and helping others who are victims of cyber bullying. Christian young people need to know aboutfinancial sextortion of teenagers, how it works, what it looks like and how toprotect themselves. And teens need toknow the many positive ways technology can be used to help others. For example, talk about what it might looklike to be a “cyber missionary” or creating a prayer circle with friends.

This is a great call to Christian Leadership to prepare themost important generation of kids that have ever lived, to use their knowledgeand expertise to educate and protect the next generation of siblings, cousins,friends that live in a globally connected world.

This past week we saw a story in the Associated Press with an interesting headline. “Students have been arrested for false alarms from AI surveillance." The story relates an interesting situation. It seems a 13-year-old girl made an offensive joke while chatting online with her classmates, which triggered the schools’ AI surveillance software. Everyone seemed to agree (including mother and student) that the comments were “wrong” and “stupid” but the context showed they were not a threat (per the article). The article goes on to say that “surveillance systems in American schools increasing monitor everything students write on school accounts and devices." Thousands of school districts across the country use software like Gaggle and Lightspeed Alert to track kid’s online activities, looking for signs that the students might hurt themselves and or others. The girl had been texting with friends on a chat function tied to her school email. The AI function identified the perceived threat and school authorities and law enforcement were alerted. She was arrested, spent the night in jail and strip-searched. Later the court ordered eight weeks of house arrest, a psychological evaluation and 20 days at an alternative school. There is now a law suit filed against the school. This is a fascinating case, and I welcome comments from Million Kids followers. Email Opal at info@millionkids.org or make a comment on the podcast. Since this organization combats sextortion and online exploitation, I could not help but wonder if this technology could be used if a student sends or receives CSAM or a nude or is receiving demands for money from someone. Especially if that communication is originating outside the United States. Perhaps we could save lives.The article is especially interesting to me because they laid out all of the atrocities of the situation but only at the end do they tell you that it took place two years ago. AI has changed dramatically in two years. It is my hope that there has been substantial refinement in the detection systems so that school administrators and law enforcement can sort through when a student is making a crude remark, or bad joke, and when it is the real threat and needs immediate attention. Whether we agree or disagree with AI monitoring, we also need to educate our kids that statements about causing harm, bombs, killing, guns, or threats of any kind will be taken seriously, especially if you are using a system provided by a school organization. Be sure to join us.