The Department of Justice today announced the successful conclusion of “Operation Restore Justice,” a comprehensive nationwide enforcement effort targeting child sex predators. The coordinated five-day operation, spearheaded by the FBI and involving all 55 FBI field offices, the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS) of the Department’s Criminal Division, and U.S. Attorney’s Offices across the country, resulted in the rescue of 115 children and the arrest of 205 child sexual abuse offenders.
“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,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “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.”
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FBI Director Kash Patel emphasized the unwavering commitment to protecting children. “Every child deserves to grow up free from fear and exploitation,” said Director Patel. “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 FBI is relentless in our pursuit of those who exploit the most vulnerable among us.”
The operation underscores the Justice Department’s ongoing efforts to combat child sexual exploitation, aligning with the recent observance of National Child Abuse Prevention Month in April.
As part of Operation Restore Justice, the Middle District of Florida saw the arrest of five individuals facing federal charges related to child sexual abuse material and enticing minors, with arrests occurring in areas considered part of Central Florida.
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U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe reiterated the commitment to bringing perpetrators to justice. “Children are among our society’s most vulnerable populations and must be protected at all costs,” said U.S. Attorney Kehoe. “We will leave no stone unturned in finding and prosecuting those who prey upon their innocence and bring the perpetrators to justice.”
Acting Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Jacksonville Division, Jason J. Carley, highlighted the impact of these arrests. “Operation Restore Justice underscores the FBI’s unwavering commitment to protecting the most vulnerable members of our community,” said Carley. “Every arrest in these child sexual abuse cases sends a powerful message: crimes against children will not be tolerated, and the FBI and our partners will continue to surge resources to bring abusers of children to justice.”
Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Tampa Division, Matthew Fodor, commended the dedication of the investigative teams. “This operation is an example of the ongoing, relentless determination of the special agents, task force officers, and analysts working to protect our most vulnerable,” said Fodor. “This is tough work; and I commend these investigative teams making it their mission to identify these predators and ensure that justice is served.”
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The arrests in the Middle District of Florida included:
Jacksonville: On April 30, 2025, Brittany Karen Firth, 41, of St. Augustine, was arrested on a criminal complaint alleging production, attempted production, distribution, and receipt of child sexual abuse material (CSAM). According to the complaint, an investigation revealed Firth exchanged approximately 5,000 online text messages with a registered sex offender in Utah between May and September 2024, during which she allegedly screen-recorded live-streamed video of the individual sexually abusing a child. Firth faces a minimum sentence of 15 years and up to 70 years in federal prison if convicted.
Ocala: Jordan Dave Persad, 22, of Phoenix, was arrested on April 30, 2025, on an indictment charging him with possession of CSAM and possession of contraband (a cellphone) by a federal prisoner. Court documents state that while an inmate at the Coleman Federal Correctional Complex in Sumter County, Persad possessed a prohibited cellphone containing an image of CSAM. He faces a maximum penalty of 10 years for the CSAM offense and up to one year for the contraband offense if convicted.
Tampa: Lee Hughes, 45, of Pinellas Park, a third-grade teacher, was arrested on May 1, 2025, and charged with attempted transmission of harmful material to a minor. According to court documents, from June 2024 to May 2025, Hughes allegedly communicated with an undercover officer believing they were the parent of a nine-year-old girl and sent explicit photos of himself to be shown to the purported child. He traveled to an agreed-upon location to meet the purported child and was arrested. Hughes faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison if convicted.
Tampa: On May 1, 2025, Jonathan Richmond, 30, of St. Petersburg, was arrested on a two-count indictment charging him with receipt and possession of CSAM. If convicted, Richmond faces a maximum of 20 years in federal prison on each count.
Orlando: On April 29, 2025, Steve C. Gopal, 42, of Ocoee, was arrested on an indictment charging him with attempted enticement of a minor to engage in sexual activity. If convicted, Gopal faces a minimum of 10 years and up to life in federal prison.
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This operation is part of the Justice Department’s long-standing commitment to combating child sexual exploitation, significantly advanced through initiatives like Project Safe Childhood. Launched in 2006, Project Safe Childhood is a nationwide program that marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims.
The Department of Justice also partners with and provides funding to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), a vital resource that receives and shares tips about possible child sexual exploitation through its 24/7 hotline at 1-800-THE-LOST and on missingkids.org.
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