The American FBI arrested 150 people on charges of holding children against their will in a nationwide, three-day sweep against child prostitution.  Officials say it is the largest-ever operation targeting the child sex trade.

Officials say the 150 suspects are not part of any single operation, but are part of a nationwide problem the Federal Bureau of Investigation aims to stomp out. 

“We are trying to take this crime out of the shadows and put a spotlight on it,” said FBI Assistant Director Ronald Hosko.

The Feds teamed with local police departments and sheriffs to target cities and rural areas, casinos and trucks stops, anyplace where the crimes were taking place.

Some of the suspects are linked to organized crime while others acted alone.  Agents also rescued 105 children aged 13 through 17 years old.