DOJ Announces Rescue of 115 Children in ‘Operation Restore Justice’

by Zachary Mettler | May 7, 2025 | Government Updates

The U.S. Department of Justice announced Wednesday that “Operation Restore Justice,” a five-day coordinated law enforcement effort, resulted in the rescue of 115 children and the arrests of 205 child sexual abuse offenders.

Operation Restore Justice, intended to identify, track, and arrest child sex predators, involved all 55 FBI field offices, the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS) in the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, and U.S. attorneys’ offices across the nation.

Attorney General Pam Bondi and FBI Director Kash Patel announced the results in a joint press conference on Wednesday, which you can watch below:

In her remarks, Attorney General Bondi emphasized the importance of parents monitoring their children’s social media use.

“Parents, your child has no right to privacy on the internet. None,” Bondi warned. “You have to monitor what your kids are doing. Whether they’re playing games, on social media or any other websites, an online predator can find them.”

“I always say, from instant message to instant nightmare,” she added. “You’ve got to talk to your kids.”

The attorney general also issued a statement following the operation, stating, “The Department of Justice will never stop fighting to protect victims – especially child victims – and we will not rest until we hunt down, arrest, and prosecute every child predator who preys on the most vulnerable among us.”

“I am grateful to the FBI and their state and local partners for their incredible work in Operation Restore Justice and have directed my prosecutors not to negotiate,” she added.

Those arrested have allegedly committed myriad crimes, including the production, distribution, and possession of child sexual abuse material; online enticement and transportation of minors; and child sex trafficking. The attorney general surmised that some will likely face a sentence of life in prison.

FBI Director Kash Patel also issued a statement following the operation, saying, “Every child deserves to grow up free from fear and exploitation, and the FBI will continue to be relentless in our pursuit of those who exploit the most vulnerable among us.”

The director added,

Operation Restore Justice proves that no predator is out of reach, and no child will be forgotten. By leveraging the strength of all our field offices and our federal, state, and local partners, we’re sending a clear message: there is no place to hide for those who prey on children.

The DOJ noted that parental vigilance and community outreach efforts played a crucial role in bringing the alleged offenders to justice. If you’re a parent who wants to learn more about protecting your children from human trafficking, please review the free resources and articles below.

We thank the brave men and women of law enforcement who risk their safety and lives to protect the most vulnerable among us and enforce the law.

To speak with a family help specialist or request resources, please call us at 1-800-A-FAMILY (232-6459).

The Justice Department urges the public to remain vigilant and report suspected exploitation of a child through the FBI’s tipline at 1-800-CALL-FBI (225-5324), tips.fbi.gov, or by calling your local FBI field office.

If you or someone you know is a victim of human trafficking, call the National Human Trafficking Hotline (1-888-373-7888). The Trafficking Hotline also connects victims and survivors of sex and labor trafficking with services they need to get help and stay safe.

Related articles and resources:

Counseling Consultation & Referrals

National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC)

NCMEC’s 24/7 call center number: 1-800-THE-LOST (843-5678)

My Rescue From Human Trafficking to New Life in Christ

Understanding the Scope of Human Trafficking

Human Trafficking: What You Need to Know

How to Prevent Sexual Exploitation of Your Child

Unplugged: Tips to Control Your Child’s Social Media

Social Media Hazards, Mental Health Apps and Dark Patterns

Parent Fears That Child May Be a Victim of Human Trafficking

Parent Concerns About Kids’ Vulnerability to Human Trafficking