Jerry Lewis Ayres, a 55-year-old resident of Franklin, West Virginia, has been arrested on charges related to child pornography as part of Operation Restore Justice. This nationwide initiative aims to identify and apprehend child sex predators.
Court documents reveal that the West Virginia State Police initiated an investigation into Ayres following a tip from the Virginia State Police Internet Crimes Against Children Unit. Ayres allegedly downloaded child pornography featuring minors, some under 12 years old. A search of his home, phone, and computer uncovered nearly 1,500 images. He faces charges for receipt and possession of child pornography.
Operation Restore Justice is a Department of Justice effort that led to the rescue of 115 children and the arrest of 205 offenders over five days. The operation involved all 55 FBI field offices and various U.S. Attorney’s Offices across the country.
Randolph J. Bernard, Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of West Virginia, stated: “As a nation, we are measured by how well we protect our most vulnerable citizens including our very young as well as our elderly populations.” He emphasized the importance of ensuring children's safety from exploitation and abuse.
Ayres could face a minimum of five years in prison for receipt charges and up to 20 years for possession charges. He is currently held at Tygart Valley Regional Jail.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Christie Utt is prosecuting the case with investigations conducted by the FBI and West Virginia State Police.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office collaborates with law enforcement agencies to address crimes against children. In the past year alone, they have charged 23 individuals with such offenses.
These efforts are part of Project Safe Childhood, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat child sexual exploitation through federal, state, and local resources.
The FBI encourages public vigilance in reporting suspected child exploitation via their tiplines or local field offices.
It should be noted that an indictment is merely an allegation; defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.
