CHILD TRAFFICKERS HUNTED—FBI Raids Nab 449

FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino’s aggressive crackdown on child predators has netted 449 arrests and saved 224 children from exploitation in just three months, sending a chilling message to criminals. This is just the beginning.

Key Takeaways

• The FBI has arrested 449 child sexual predators and rescued more than 224 children in two major operations: Operation Restoring Justice and Operation Soteria Shield.
• Operation Soteria Shield involved 70 law enforcement agencies and resulted in 244 arrests and 109 child rescues.
• Operation Restoring Justice apprehended 205 predators and rescued 115 children in May.
• The FBI is simultaneously advancing high-profile investigations into COVID-19 cover-ups, the Dobbs Supreme Court leak, and the January 6 pipe bombs.
• Bongino has promised continued aggressive action against child predators, declaring “If you’re preying on children, we are coming for you.”

Major FBI Child Protection Operations Show Immediate Results

In a powerful demonstration of the FBI’s renewed focus on protecting America’s most vulnerable citizens, Deputy Director Dan Bongino has announced the arrest of 449 child sexual predators and the rescue of 224 children during his first three months in office alongside Director Kash Patel. The arrests came through two major operations that specifically targeted individuals involved in child sexual exploitation, child pornography, and sex trafficking crimes across the United States. These results mark a significant victory in the fight against predators who use technology to target children.

“This is just the beginning. If you’re preying on children, we are coming for you,” said Dan Bongino, FBI Deputy Director.

Operation Soteria Shield, conducted in North Texas, demonstrated the power of collaboration with 70 different law enforcement agencies working together. The operation began in April and resulted in 244 arrests of individuals charged with crimes related to child exploitation. Law enforcement seized terabytes of illicit sexual content during raids. The operation’s success highlights how predators increasingly use technology, including social media platforms and online gaming systems, to target children rather than meeting them in person.

Operation Restoring Justice Shows Commitment to Children’s Safety

Prior to Operation Soteria Shield, the FBI conducted Operation Restoring Justice in May, which yielded equally impressive results. This earlier operation apprehended 205 child sex predators and 764 individuals involved in distributing child sexual abuse material, while rescuing 115 children from terrible situations. The back-to-back success of these operations demonstrates the FBI’s unwavering commitment to protecting children and holding perpetrators accountable under the new leadership of Director Patel and Deputy Director Bongino.

“This was not an easy operation, but a necessary one. The FBI and our law enforcement partners will continue to protect the children in our communities, and we will hold child predators accountable for their crimes,” said FBI Dallas Special Agent R. Joseph Rothrock

Law enforcement officials emphasize that these operations reveal only a fraction of the ongoing exploitation happening nationwide. They strongly encourage parents to implement parental controls on children’s devices and maintain open communication about online safety. The trauma inflicted by these crimes extends far beyond the immediate victims, affecting families and entire communities. Each arrest represents not just a criminal apprehended but potentially numerous future victims protected.

FBI’s Broader Agenda Under New Leadership

While the child predator arrests represent a significant achievement, Deputy Director Bongino also reported progress on multiple high-profile investigations that have long concerned conservatives. The FBI is actively investigating the alleged COVID-19 cover-up, the unauthorized leak of the 2022 Supreme Court Dobbs opinion, and the pipe bombs placed near RNC and DNC headquarters before January 6, 2021. Additionally, the Bureau has apprehended three of the FBI’s top ten most wanted fugitives and arrested multiple foreign intelligence targets engaged in illegal activities on American soil.

“The trauma inflicted by these crimes runs deep, affecting not only the victims, but also their families and entire communities. With every arrest made and every child protected, the operation moves us closer to a safer community,” said Garland Police Chief Jeff Bryan

The Bureau has also been active in immigration enforcement, coordinating with federal partners to apprehend, imprison, and deport thousands of illegal immigrants. Over 700 anti-ICE riot arrests have been made in collaboration with state and federal agents. Despite recent civil unrest, Bongino made clear that those who attacked law enforcement officers or damaged property during riots will be held accountable, stating that the FBI “would not forget” those responsible for violence against officers.

A Renewed FBI Mission

The impressive results in just three months signal a significant shift in FBI priorities under President Trump’s administration. Bongino has implemented personnel changes and structural reorganization within the Bureau to address past mistakes and ensure the agency remains focused on its core mission of protecting Americans. The Deputy Director has promised further disclosures regarding public corruption cases in the coming months, suggesting that more high-profile arrests may be forthcoming.

“We are remaining hyper-vigilant in protecting the Homeland given the current global climate, while we deal with investigations related to the rioting, the Washington DC murders, the Palm Springs bombing, the Boulder attack, the Minnesota murders, and our daily case work,” said Dan Bongino, FBI Deputy Director.

The FBI’s focus on crimes against children represents a welcome prioritization of resources toward protecting the most vulnerable members of society. With the technology-enabled nature of modern child exploitation, these operations demonstrate how law enforcement must adapt to combat predators who use social media, online gaming, and other digital platforms to target children. As Bongino has made clear, these initial successes are just the beginning of a renewed commitment to protecting children and bringing predators to justice.