The Department of Justice announced on May 5 the results of Operation Iron Pursuit, a nationwide enforcement effort that located more than 200 child victims and led to the arrest of over 350 alleged child sexual abuse offenders. The operation ran from April 1 to April 30 and involved all FBI field offices and U.S. Attorneys' offices across the country.
Operation Iron Pursuit was timed to coincide with National Child Abuse Prevention Month, as recognized by the Administration for Children and Families. Officials said this coordinated action aimed to identify victims, pursue perpetrators, and raise public awareness about child exploitation crimes.
“This operation puts every child predator on notice: we are coming for you,” said Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche. “The sexual exploitation of minors is an abomination with no place in our society. We will hunt down these offenders, hold them fully accountable under the law, and deliver justice for victims.” FBI Director Kash Patel said, “Every single day this FBI is working 24/7 to break networks of child abusers all across this country... Let this be a message to criminal actors who seek to target America’s children: you will be pursued, and you will be brought to justice.”
First Assistant U.S. Attorney Melissa Holyoak of the District of Utah said, “There is no greater priority in the District of Utah than protecting and pursuing justice for our children. As with this administration, the U.S. Attorney’s Office will continue vigorously to combat crimes against children and hold offenders accountable.” Special Agent in Charge Robert Bohls added that agents would "continue working tirelessly" against those who prey on vulnerable youth.
Among those arrested were individuals charged or convicted for offenses such as producing AI-generated obscene material involving minors, producing or possessing child pornography, sexually exploiting children, kidnapping, sex trafficking, abuse charges involving weapons violations by felons. One case involved a ten-year-old from Utah recovered after being taken abroad; concerns existed about possible gender reassignment surgery overseas.
This operation follows previous efforts including Operation Relentless Justice (205 rescued), Enduring Justice (133 rescued), and Restore Justice (115 rescued) last year. The FBI’s Victim Services Division provided support during rescues through crisis intervention services.
The Department partners with organizations like the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), which operates a hotline at 1-800-THE-LOST and website missingkids.org for tips about possible exploitation cases. The public is encouraged to report suspected cases via tipline at tips.fbi.gov or local field offices.
The U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Utah enforces federal laws throughout all counties in Utah—including areas with national parks and Indian reservations—and maintains offices in Salt Lake City and St. George while employing approximately 85 staff members including around 45 assistant attorneys according to the official website.
