The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) announced Wednesday the culmination of a nationwide surge, dubbed “Operation Restore Justice,” targeting individuals involved in child sex abuse and exploitation. In a coordinated effort across all 55 FBI field offices, the operation resulted in the arrest of 205 individuals across the country.
In California, the FBI Sacramento Field Office played a significant role in the operation. Agents arrested four individuals on federal charges, including sexual exploitation of a child and the receipt and distribution of child pornography.
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Furthermore, an additional eleven arrests on state charges were made in Bakersfield as a result of an undercover operation conducted in collaboration with the Bakersfield Police Department Vice Unit. This parallel effort focused on combating human trafficking and the solicitation of prostitution within the city.
“No child should ever have to suffer at the hands of a predator,” stated Special Agent in Charge Sid Patel of the FBI Sacramento Field Office. “The FBI is committed to breaking the cycle of abuse and ensuring those who exploit children are brought to justice. We work closely with our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners to identify these offenders and to protect the most vulnerable members of our communities.”
Operation Restore Justice, which ran between April 28 and May 1, was strategically timed to coincide with the end of Child Abuse Prevention Month, underscoring the FBI’s unwavering commitment to confronting these heinous crimes. Investigating child sex abuse remains a top priority for the Bureau.
The FBI’s Violent Crimes Against Children (VCAC) program spearheads and strengthens efforts to combat all forms of child abuse and exploitation falling under federal jurisdiction.
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This includes the creation, sharing, and possession of child sexual abuse material; domestic or international travel for illicit sexual interactions with minors; and the coercion of children into producing sexually explicit content. The VCAC program also plays a crucial role in identifying, locating, and rescuing child victims, as well as fostering vital partnerships to prevent abuse and apprehend offenders.
The FBI conducts these investigations through Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Forces (CEHTTFs) located in each field office. These task forces enable the FBI to pool resources with federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, creating a unified front against these crimes.
The FBI also collaborates closely with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), a non-profit organization that receives and disseminates tips regarding potential child sexual exploitation through its 24-hour hotline at 1-800-THE-LOST and its website, missingkids.org.
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Recognizing the ongoing nature of this threat, the FBI established the Endangered Child Alert Program (ECAP) in 2004. This collaborative initiative with NCMEC aims to identify individuals involved in the sexual abuse of children and the production of child sexual abuse material.
Beyond enforcement, the FBI also provides resources for parents and caregivers to actively engage in their children’s online and offline lives. The FBI’s Safe Online Surfing (SOS) program educates students in grades 3 through 8 on how to navigate the internet safely, empowering the next generation with crucial knowledge for online safety.
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