The Department of Justice announced the results of Operation Restore Justice, a nationwide initiative aimed at identifying and apprehending child sex offenders. Conducted over five days from April 28 to May 2, the operation resulted in the arrest of more than 200 individuals accused of crimes such as producing, distributing, and possessing child sexual abuse material (CSAM), online enticement, transportation of minors, and child sex trafficking.
Attorney General Pamela Bondi emphasized the department's commitment to protecting victims: “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 praised the FBI and local partners for their work during Operation Restore Justice.
FBI Director Kash Patel stated that "Operation Restore Justice proves that no predator is out of reach and no child will be forgotten." He highlighted the collaboration between federal, state, and local agencies in sending a clear message to those who exploit children.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley for the District of Massachusetts noted that "protecting children from exploitation is among the most sacred responsibilities we have in law enforcement." She stressed that Operation Restore Justice delivered an urgent message about protecting children as Child Abuse Prevention Month concluded.
James Crowley, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Boston Division, remarked on the importance of addressing situations where a child is at risk: “As horrific as these alleged crimes are, they are not rare."
In Massachusetts alone, five individuals were arrested as part of this operation. Among them was Jacob Henriques from Boston charged with attempted sex trafficking of a minor. Other arrests included Justin Ouimette from Holyoke charged with possessing CSAM; Warren Messeck from Agawam also charged with possessing CSAM; Brandon Bendall from Wareham charged with possessing and receiving CSAM; and Cess Frazier from Boston charged with receiving CSAM.
This effort underscores the Department's ongoing dedication to safeguarding children and raising awareness about online predators. As part of prevention initiatives like Project Safe Childhood (PSC), nearly 8,000 individuals have been reached through public education programs across various communities in Massachusetts during the current school year.
The FBI maintains proactive measures against child exploitation through its Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force located at each field office. The Endangered Child Alert Program (ECAP) collaborates with organizations like NMCEC to identify offenders involved in child sexual abuse material production.
Parents can access resources offered by programs like Safe Online Surfing (SOS) designed for students to navigate safely online. The FBI encourages vigilance among citizens reporting suspected exploitation via designated tiplines or local offices while reminding everyone that defendants remain presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt in court proceedings.
