Daniel P. Bubar Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina | U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina
The Department of Justice has announced the results of Operation Restore Justice, a nationwide effort aimed at identifying and arresting child sex offenders. The operation led to the rescue of 115 children and the arrest of 205 individuals accused of child sexual abuse offenses. This initiative was carried out over five days by all 55 FBI field offices, alongside the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section in the Department’s Criminal Division and U.S. Attorney’s Offices across the country.
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 expressed gratitude to the FBI and their partners for their work in this operation.
FBI Director Kash Patel emphasized that "every child deserves to grow up free from fear and exploitation," adding that Operation Restore Justice demonstrates that no predator is beyond reach. He highlighted the collaborative efforts with federal, state, and local partners as crucial in sending a message that there is no hiding place for those who prey on children.
In North Carolina, six arrests were made as part of this operation. Among those charged are John Matthew Miller from Wilmington, Jesse Lonzo Teal from Bolivia, William Justin Lewis from Louisburg, Donte Melvin Peek from Durham, Jonathan Robert Davlin from Huntersville, and Terrell Shawn Anderson previously from Charlotte. Charges range from sex trafficking of minors to possession of child sexual abuse material.
Acting U.S. Attorney Daniel P. Bubar for the Eastern District of North Carolina reiterated their commitment to protecting children: "These important cases reflect the unwavering commitment of our office and our justice system to protect the most vulnerable members of our community—our children."
Robert M. DeWitt, FBI Special Agent in Charge in North Carolina, pointed out that producing and exchanging child sexual abuse material is not limited to obscure corners of the internet but occurs on common platforms used by families.
Operation Restore Justice also saw arrests across other states involving various crimes related to child exploitation. Notably, a state trooper in Minneapolis was arrested for allegedly producing such material while wearing his uniform.
This effort aligns with National Child Abuse Prevention Month observed in April by raising awareness about protecting children against exploitation. It is part of Project Safe Childhood initiated by the Department of Justice in May 2006 aimed at combating child sexual exploitation through collaboration between federal, state, and local resources.
The Department continues its partnership with organizations like the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) while urging public vigilance through reporting suspected cases via available hotlines.
