The Department of Justice has announced the results of Operation Restore Justice, a nationwide crackdown on child sex offenders led by the FBI. The operation, conducted over five days, resulted in the arrest of 205 individuals and the rescue of 115 children. This 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 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 also expressed gratitude to the FBI and their partners for their work on this operation.
FBI Director Kash Patel emphasized that "Operation Restore Justice proves that no predator is out of reach and no child will be forgotten," highlighting collaboration with federal, state, and local partners.
In Michigan's Western District alone, seven individuals were arrested. Acting U.S. Attorney Andrew Birge noted that "With this operation, we are amplifying the message that the Department is fully committed to securing justice for the most innocent of victims: children in our communities."
Cheyvoryea Gibson from the FBI Detroit Field Office highlighted cooperation with various law enforcement agencies as crucial to these arrests in Michigan as well as Arkansas and Tennessee.
The arrested individuals face charges ranging from sexual exploitation to possession of child pornography. Among them are Christian Vanderveen from Comstock Park; Paul Masko from Grand Haven; Terry Hopkins from Muskegon Heights; Martell Scott-Ware from Grand Rapids; Shauntelle Blackmon from Arkadelphia, Arkansas; Joseph Brandon from Knoxville, Tennessee; and George Edward Lebaron from Egelston Township.
Operation Restore Justice follows National Child Abuse Prevention Month observed in April. It underscores ongoing efforts by Project Safe Childhood—a DOJ initiative launched in 2006—to combat child sexual exploitation through coordinated resources at various government levels.
The DOJ encourages public vigilance against child exploitation via its hotline or online reporting tools while reminding citizens that defendants remain innocent until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt.
