The Department of Justice has announced the results of Operation Restore Justice, a nationwide initiative aimed at identifying and apprehending child sex predators. The operation led to the rescue of 115 children and the arrest of 205 offenders across the United States. This coordinated effort involved all 55 FBI field offices, the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section in the Department’s Criminal Division, and U.S. Attorney’s Offices nationwide.
Attorney General Pamela Bondi stated, "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 also expressed gratitude towards the FBI and its partners for their efforts in this operation.
FBI Director Kash Patel commented, "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."
In Maryland, two individuals were indicted as part of this crackdown. Donald Robert Wilt Edwards, Sr., from West Virginia, faces charges including sexual exploitation of a minor and distribution of child sexual abuse material. Joel Thomas Biermann from University Park is charged with producing and distributing child sexual abuse material.
Nationwide arrests include a state trooper in Minneapolis accused of producing such material while in uniform and an individual in Norfolk charged with transporting a minor across state lines for sex. A former police officer in Washington D.C. was arrested for alleged trafficking offenses.
This initiative follows National Child Abuse Prevention Month observed by the Department in April. It highlights ongoing efforts to combat child exploitation through Project Safe Childhood, which began in May 2006.
The Department encourages vigilance from the public regarding potential exploitation cases via tips through various channels including the FBI tipline.
