A massive combined operation between the FBI and Texas authorities in recent months resulted in over 276 arrests for suspected child abuse and the rescue of 89 children, officials said Friday.
The results were the outcome of Operation Soteria Shield, which was part of the agency’s larger national effort, Operation Iron Pursuit. The FBI launched an initiative in North Texas to combat online sexual exploitation, abuse, trafficking, and production of child sexual abuse material (CSAM).
“Every day, this FBI is moving more aggressively than ever before to destroy child predator networks and save innocent victims all over the country, and today’s brilliant numbers from FBI Dallas and partners are the latest milestone in that righteous mission,” FBI Director Kash Patel told Fox News Digital.
The investigation in March and April targeted offenders who exploit minors using internet platforms, social media, messaging apps, and other digital applications.”Protecting children from those who want to exploit them is one of the most important things we do in law enforcement,” said Dallas Police Department Chief Daniel Comeaux.
The FBI reported that 91 law enforcement organizations in Texas participated in the Soteria Shield operation.These are young lives saved, families reunited, and future crimes stopped by courageous law enforcement officers doing their jobs. I’m proud of our teams for their execution, and let this serve as a warning to any criminal who may attempt similar horrible acts – the FBI has discovered over 6,940 child victims since last year, up 144%, and arrested nearly 3,000 child predators during the same time period, up 70%. “The current pace of justice will not slow down,” Patel remarked.
Earlier this month, the FBI announced the arrests of over 350 child sexual abuse offenders as part of Operation Iron Pursuit, a massive countrywide effort launched in April to locate child victims of sex abuse and apprehend child sex predators.
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