Jay Clayton, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York | Department of Justice
The United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Jay Clayton, announced on May 5 the results of Operation Iron Pursuit, a one-month nationwide effort aimed at locating child victims of sexual abuse and arresting offenders. The operation, which took place from April 1 to April 30, resulted in more than 200 child victims being found and over 350 alleged offenders arrested. All FBI field offices and U.S. Attorneys’ offices across the country participated in this coordinated action.
Operation Iron Pursuit coincided with National Child Abuse Prevention Month as recognized by the Administration for Children and Families. Officials say this effort underscores a unified commitment to protecting children from exploitation.
"Every New Yorker wants, and every American wants, those who sexually exploit children and traffic in child pornography to be brought to justice and to be removed from our streets," said U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton. "The Department of Justice is committed to that mission, and under the leadership of Acting Attorney General Blanche we are delivering with a coordinated, all-hands-on-deck effort to identify, charge, and convict sexual predators. The unified message we’re sending is clear: if you think you can get away with targeting children—you’re wrong." Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said: "This operation puts every child predator on notice: we are coming for you. 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 added: "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." FBI Assistant Director in Charge James C. Barnacle Jr., said: "We will never take our foot off the gas in the crimes against children fight... May today’s announcement emphasize FBI New York’s commitment to holding accountable those who commit this horrific abuse."
Among those recovered was a ten-year-old from Utah who had been taken abroad; authorities expressed concerns about potential gender reassignment surgery being performed without proper oversight or consent before successfully recovering the child with assistance from the FBI Victim Services Division (VSD). Those arrested during Operation Iron Pursuit face allegations including sexual exploitation, sex trafficking, kidnapping, possession or distribution of abusive materials involving minors.
This latest operation follows several similar efforts last year—Operation Relentless Justice (December), Operation Enduring Justice (August), and Operation Restore Justice (May)—which together resulted in hundreds more rescues and arrests related to crimes against children.
The Department encourages anyone suspecting child exploitation or abuse to report tips via the FBI's tipline at 1-800-CALL-FBI (225-5324), online at tips.fbi.gov or by contacting local field offices.
