FBI Announces ‘Huge Takedown’ of Child Abusers in Texas, Rescue of 109 Children
The FBI announced the arrest of hundreds of alleged child abusers and the rescue of over 100 children in a recent law enforcement operation in Texas.
Operation Soteria Shield, a month-long collaborative enforcement effort conducted in April 2025, aimed to rescue children from online sexual exploitation and bring perpetrators to justice, the FBI revealed on June 10.
The North Texas Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and FBI Dallas’s North Texas Child Exploitation Task Force announced the operation’s conclusion, which resulted in:
- 109 children rescued.
- 244 offenders arrested.
- Almost 400 total charges at the federal and state level.
“We had a common goal, which was to rescue children from abuse and exploitation,” said FBI Dallas Special Agent in Charge R. Joseph Rothrock in a statement.
“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.”
The operation was run in conjunction with the National Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and was jointly managed by the FBI Dallas Division, Dallas Police Department, Plano Police Department, Wylie Police Department, and Garland Police Department.
More than 70 Texas law enforcement agencies participated in the operation throughout April, leveraging “the expertise of highly skilled computer crimes investigators that worked around the clock to identify victims and apprehend offenders engaged in the production, distribution, and possession of child sexual abuse material.
FBI spokesman Ben Williamson told the Daily Wire in a statement,
“We are proud of our Dallas teams and local partnerships in the region for once again delivering a successful operation and making American neighborhoods safer,” Williamson added.
FBI Director Kash Patel likewise issued a statement about the operation, writing on X:
This marks the tenth year Operation Soteria Shield was conducted in April, which is National Child Abuse Prevention Month, the Daily Wire reports.
Fox4 notes that this year’s operation included 124 cyber tips cases, 73 chat-based undercover operations, 30 responses to calls for service that were direct leads to child rescues, and 23 high-risk victim rescues.
Over 165 search warrants were executed, 1,130 digital devices were seized, and 213TB of data was examined, much of it containing graphic evidence of child exploitation.
Furthermore, the FBI said that investigators “seized extensive volumes of digital evidence, including terabytes of illicit data stored on electronic devices that were used in the commission of these crimes.” The devices are “undergoing forensic analysis and may lead to further arrests and the identification of additional victims,” the department added.
Americans of all stripes should express their deep gratitude for the men and women of law enforcement who conducted Operation Soteria Shield. To say the least, working such horrific and graphic cases is not easy. But it couldn’t be more important.
“Soteria” is the Greek word for “salvation” or “deliverance.” Please pray for the healing and restoration of these children who have been rescued, delivered from the darkness and evil of sexual exploitation. And pray for their rescuers, men and women who, with their God-given authority, bring justice to wrongdoers (Romans 13:1-4).
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
Protecting Your Child From Sexual Abuse
Understanding the Scope of Human Trafficking
Human Trafficking: What You Need to Know
Talking to Your Kids About Sexual Abuse
How to Prevent Sexual Exploitation of Your Child
Parent Fears That Child May Be a Victim of Human Trafficking
Parent Concerns About Kids’ Vulnerability to Human Trafficking
How to Fight Human Trafficking
DOJ Announces Rescue of 115 Children in ‘Operation Restore Justice’
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