By Olaitan Ibrahim
The U.S. Department of Justice on Wednesday announced the results of Operation Restore Justice, a sweeping, FBI-led crackdown targeting child sex predators across the United States.
The five-day operation, involving all 55 FBI field offices, resulted in the arrest of 205 individuals and the rescue of 115 children from ongoing sexual exploitation.
Attorney General Pamela Bondi, speaking at a press briefing in Washington, delivered a forceful message: “The Department of Justice will never stop fighting to protect victims—especially child victims—and we will not rest until we hunt down, arrest, and prosecute every child predator who preys on the most vulnerable among us.”
She further stated that prosecutors have been directed “not to negotiate,” underscoring a zero-tolerance policy in the prosecution of child sexual abuse crimes.
The individuals arrested face a range of serious charges including production, distribution, and possession of child sexual abuse material; online enticement and transportation of minors; and child sex trafficking.
Cases spanned multiple states and involved individuals from diverse backgrounds. In Minneapolis, a state trooper and Army reservist was arrested for allegedly producing child sexual abuse material while in uniform.
In Norfolk, Virginia, an illegal immigrant from Mexico was apprehended for allegedly transporting a minor across state lines for sexual purposes. And in Washington, D.C., a former Metropolitan Police Department officer was charged with trafficking minors.
FBI Director Kash Patel called the operation a milestone in the agency’s ongoing fight against child exploitation: “Every child deserves to grow up free from fear and exploitation, and the FBI will continue to be relentless in our pursuit of those who exploit the most vulnerable among us.”
He added: “Operation Restore Justice proves that no predator is out of reach, and no child will be forgotten… We’re sending a clear message: there is no place to hide for those who prey on children.”
One notable arrest was made just eight hours after a child disclosed abuse during a school safety presentation. The young victim approached FBI agents following an online safety talk near Albany, New York, leading to the swift arrest of a California man.
The operation comes shortly after the Department’s observance of National Child Abuse Prevention Month in April. According to officials, the timing reflects the Department’s broader effort to raise awareness and combat the growing threat of online and offline child exploitation.
Operation Restore Justice was conducted under the umbrella of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in 2006 to combat child exploitation. The programme coordinates federal, state, and local resources to prosecute offenders and rescue victims.
The Department also collaborates with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), which operates a 24/7 hotline and tip platform.