The Department of Justice has announced the results of Operation Relentless Justice, a nationwide effort targeting child sex predators. Over a two-week period, the operation led to the identification and location of more than 205 child victims and the arrest of over 293 offenders accused of child sexual abuse. The initiative involved all 56 FBI field offices, the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS) in the Criminal Division, and U.S. Attorneys’ offices across the country.
Attorney General Pamela Bondi stated, “We will not allow evil criminals who prey on children to evade justice. Our federal agents have worked tirelessly alongside our state and local partners to track down these vile predators, and now our prosecutors will ensure they receive severe punishments to match their horrific crimes.”
FBI Director Kash Patel commented on the scope of the operation: “Operation Relentless Justice shows no child will be forgotten and that all predators targeting the most vulnerable amongst us will be held accountable. This year, the FBI has led multiple nationwide surges across the U.S. to find and arrest hundreds of child predators. We will not stop until every child can live a life free of exploitation. We will utilize the strength of all our field offices and our federal, state, and local partners to protect communities across the nation from such horrific crimes.”
John A. Sarcone III, Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of New York, said: “Operation Relentless Justice reflects our tireless commitment to keeping our children safe. I am proud of the work of the prosecutors in my Office and the men and women of the FBI, who are truly relentless in their pursuit of justice on behalf of the most vulnerable and precious members of our communities. We will remain steadfast in getting every single child predator off the streets and behind bars.”
Craig L. Tremaroli, Special Agent in Charge at FBI Albany Field Office, added: “Operation Relentless Justice was a huge success thanks to the strong partnerships on our Human Trafficking and Child Exploitation Task Force. Working together, we removed eight dangerous predators from our communities. Six were charged federally and two were charged by New York State. And we won’t stop there. The FBI will continue to leverage our law enforcement partners to use every resource at our disposal to identify, investigate, and bring to justice any predator seeking to harm our most vulnerable.”
In New York’s Northern District specifically, six individuals were arrested in separate cases involving allegations such as selling or possessing child sexual abuse material (CSAM), distributing CSAM via social media applications or group chats dedicated to this content, or receiving illicit material online.
Nationally, those arrested face charges including production, distribution or possession of CSAM; online enticement; transportation of minors; and child sex trafficking offenses.
Some cases highlighted include an airman from Dallas arrested with his wife for producing CSAM; a Raleigh police officer accused of distributing CSAM while discussing intent for sexual contact with children; as well as an individual previously deported from Miami now facing new charges related to enticement.
The operation also targeted rising sextortion cases involving online manipulation or threats against minors.
This action follows previous efforts like Operation Restore Justice earlier this year which resulted in rescuing 115 children nationally.
Victims identified during these operations received support services coordinated by FBI’s Victim Services Division (VSD), which provides forensic interviews along with referrals for medical or mental health resources.
These initiatives are part of Project Safe Childhood—a program started by DOJ in May 2006—designed to marshal federal resources alongside state agencies against internet-based exploitation crimes against children.
More information about Project Safe Childhood is available at https://www.justice.gov/psc.
The Department also works closely with organizations such as National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC), which receives reports through its hotline at 1-800-THE-LOST or online at https://www.missingkids.org/.
Authorities urge anyone suspecting exploitation or abuse involving children report tips via FBI’s tipline at 1-800-CALL-FBI (225-5324), online at https://tips.fbi.gov/, or through local field offices.
All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
