David Clay Fowlkes, U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas
The Department of Justice has announced the results of Operation Restore Justice, a nationwide effort to identify and arrest child sex predators. This operation led to the rescue of 115 children and the arrest of 205 offenders across the country. The initiative was conducted 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 nationwide.
Attorney General Pamela Bondi emphasized the department's commitment: “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 praised the FBI for their work in this operation.
FBI Director Kash Patel stated, “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 collaboration between federal, state, and local partners as crucial in sending a clear message against those who prey on children.
David Clay Fowlkes, United States Attorney for Western Arkansas, reiterated their priority: “Our top priority in Western Arkansas is making our communities safer and better.” He noted that operations like these are vital for prosecuting individuals involved in child abuse.
Alicia D. Corder, FBI Little Rock Special Agent in Charge, expressed dedication to continuing investigations into such crimes: “This operation is a testament to the efforts of the FBI and our dedicated law enforcement partners to protect children in our communities.”
Those arrested face allegations including production, distribution, possession of child sexual abuse material, online enticement, transportation of minors for illegal purposes, and child sex trafficking. Notable arrests include a state trooper in Minneapolis accused of producing abuse material while wearing uniforms and an individual in Norfolk charged with transporting a minor across state lines.
Parental vigilance played a key role in several cases. For instance, after an online safety presentation at a school near Albany, N.Y., a young victim disclosed their abuse leading to an arrest within eight hours.
This operation aligns with National Child Abuse Prevention Month observed by the Department. It highlights ongoing efforts under Project Safe Childhood—a nationwide initiative launched by the Department of Justice in May 2006 aimed at combating child sexual exploitation.
The department collaborates with organizations like the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) which operates a hotline for reporting suspected exploitation at 1-800-THE-LOST or missingkids.org. The public is encouraged to report suspected exploitation through various channels including tips.fbi.gov or local FBI offices.
