Texas child‑exploitation crackdown leads to 276 arrests and 89 children rescued, authorities say

A major two-month child-exploitation operation across Texas has resulted in 276 arrests and the rescue of 89 children, according to federal and local authorities.

Officials described Operation Soteria Shield as one of the largest coordinated efforts in the state’s history targeting online predators.

Led by FBI Dallas in partnership with dozens of Texas law enforcement agencies, the operation took place between March and April 2026. Authorities arrested suspects on charges that include possession, distribution, and production of child sexual abuse material, as well as online solicitation, trafficking, and sexual assault. Among the 89 children rescued were previously unidentified victims.

The operation united 91 agencies and 197 personnel, including investigators, analysts, digital forensics experts, prosecutors, and child advocacy partners.

Targeting Online Child Exploitation

Operation Soteria Shield centered on identifying and apprehending individuals who prey on children through social media platforms, messaging apps, and other online services. Investigators targeted suspects accused of producing, distributing, or possessing child sexual abuse material, soliciting minors online, trafficking children, committing sexual assault, and engaging in other forms of child exploitation.

Officials said the investigations remain ongoing, and additional charges could be filed as forensic examinations continue. The FBI Dallas North Texas Child Exploitation Task Force and the North Texas Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force announced the operation.

Leaders Highlight Trauma and Teamwork

Leaders from the FBI and police departments in Dallas, Plano, Wylie, Garland, and Fort Worth underscored the value of interagency collaboration and the profound impact these crimes have on victims and their families.

“This would not have been successful without the resolve of each participating agency,” said FBI Dallas Special Agent in Charge R. Joseph Rothrock.

“These are not victimless crimes,” Dallas Police Chief Daniel C. Comeaux said. “They leave lasting trauma on children and families. I am incredibly proud of the work of our investigators and every agency partner who helped make this operation successful.”

“Every child deserves to grow up safe, protected, and free from exploitation,” Plano Police Chief Ed Drain said. “This operation reflects our shared commitment to defend children wherever abuse occurs, whether that is in a home, on a device or through an online platform. The work done by these investigators has changed lives.”

Full list of participating agencies

Participating agencies included:

Abilene Police Department
Allen Police Department
Andrews Police Department
Aubrey Police Department
Azle Police Department
Bartonville Police Department
Bedford Police Department
Bonham Police Department
Bowie County Sheriff’s Office
Burleson Police Department
Carrollton Police Department
Celina Police Department
Children’s Advocacy Center of Collin County
Childress County Sheriff’s Office
Cleburne Police Department
Colleyville Police Department
Collin County District Attorney’s Office
Collin County Sheriff’s Office
Commerce Police Department
Cooke County Sheriff’s Office
Crowley Police Department
Dallas Children’s Advocacy Center
Dallas Police Department
Denton County Sheriff’s Office
Department of the Army Criminal Investigation Division
DeSoto Police Department
Dublin Police Department
Duncanville Police Department
Ellis County Sheriff’s Office
Elm Ridge Police Department
Euless Police Department
Fannin County Sheriff’s Office
Farmers Branch Police Department
FBI Dallas Field Office
FBI El Paso Field Office
FBI San Antonio Field Office
Flower Mound Police Department
Fort Worth Police Department
Frisco Police Department
Garland Police Department
Grayson County Sheriff’s Office
Greenville Police Department
Gregg County Sheriff’s Office
Harrison County Sheriff’s Office
Hawk Cove Police Department
Henderson County Sheriff’s Office
Highland Park Department of Public Safety
Homeland Security Investigations
Honey Grove Police Department
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office
Irving Police Department
Johnson County Sheriff’s Office
Lamesa Police Department
Lewisville Police Department
Little Elm Police Department
Littlefield Police Department
Lone Star Police Department
Longview Police Department
Lubbock County Sheriff’s Office
Lubbock Police Department
McKinney Police Department
Mesquite Police Department
Midlothian Police Department
Northlake Police Department
Office of Inspector General – Texas Juvenile Justice Department
Olney Police Department
Palmer Police Department
Pampa Police Department
Parker County Sheriff’s Office
Plainview Police Department
Plano Police Department
Princeton Police Department
Prosper Police Department
Richardson Police Department
Rockwall County Criminal District Attorney’s Office
Rockwall Police Department
Rockwall County Sheriff’s Office
Rowlett Police Department
Royse City Police Department
Rusk County Sheriff’s Office
Seminole Police Department
Tarrant County Sheriff’s Office
Taylor County Sheriff’s Office
Texas Department of Public Safety
U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Texas
U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Texas
Valley View Police Department
White Settlement Police Department
Wilmer Police Department
Wylie Police Department

How to Report Suspected Exploitation

Authorities encourage anyone with information about suspected child exploitation to contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI, submit a tip through the FBI’s online tip portal, or file a report with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children’s CyberTipline.

meigsindypress,com will continue to provide updates as new information becomes available.