In a sweeping five-day sting that spanned coast to coast, federal law enforcement announced Wednesday the results of Operation Restore Justice — a monumental crackdown that rescued 115 children and led to the arrests of 205 child sex offenders. The effort was spearheaded by the FBI in coordination with 55 field offices, backed by dozens of state and local law enforcement partners.
Attorney General Pamela Bondi called the operation “a statement of resolve,” making it clear that the Justice Department will not pull punches in prosecuting those who prey on children.
“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,” Bondi said. “I have directed my prosecutors not to negotiate.”
Among those arrested:
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An illegal alien from Mexico
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A former Washington D.C. police officer
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A Minnesota State Trooper and Army reservist
All face serious charges ranging from child sex trafficking to the production, possession, and distribution of child sexual abuse material, as well as online enticement of minors — crimes that carry severe federal penalties.
Attorney General Bondi took the opportunity to speak directly to parents across America, urging constant vigilance in an age when predators are just a few clicks away from unsuspecting children.
“Parents, you have to know this is so serious. Your child has no right to privacy on the internet — none,” she warned. “You have to monitor what your kids are doing, whether they’re playing games, on social media, or anywhere else online. An online predator can find them in all of those places.”
With predators increasingly using platforms such as gaming chats, social apps, and encrypted messaging to exploit minors, law enforcement emphasizes that constant digital supervision is no longer optional — it’s essential.
FBI Director Kash Patel, who oversaw the operation’s execution, praised the agents and local partners involved and emphasized that the agency’s message is unambiguous: “We are coming for you.”
“Every child deserves to grow up free from fear and exploitation,” said Patel. “Operation Restore Justice proves that no predator is out of reach and no child will be forgotten.”
He continued, “By leveraging the strength of all our field offices and our federal, state, and local partners, we’re sending a clear message: there is no place to hide for those who prey on children.”
