The Department of Justice has wrapped up a massive month-long crackdown on child exploitation, resulting in the rescue of over 200 victims and the arrest of more than 350 offenders across the United States.
Dubbed “Operation Iron Pursuit,” the initiative ran throughout April, coinciding with National Child Abuse Prevention Month, and involved every one of the FBI’s 56 field offices and U.S. Attorneys’ offices nationwide.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche made the announcement on Friday, emphasizing the gravity of the mission.
“This operation puts every child predator on notice: we are coming for you,” Blanche stated. “The sexual exploitation of minors is an abomination with no place in our society.”
The effort was a highly coordinated sweep aimed at dismantling networks that target the most vulnerable. FBI Director Kash Patel highlighted that this latest operation follows a record-breaking year for the bureau, which saw the rescue of over 6,300 missing children in 2025.
“Let this be a message to criminal actors who seek to target America’s children: you will be pursued, and you will be brought to justice,” Patel said.
In Western New York, the operation led to specific charges against two individuals. CJ A. Wolf of Lewiston was arrested after allegedly attempting to meet a girl he believed to be 13 years old for a sexual encounter. According to court documents, Wolf met with an undercover officer in a retail parking lot with $200 in hand before being taken into custody. He now faces a maximum penalty of life in prison.
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In a separate case, Kenneth Tootle of Rochester was charged with production, receipt, and enticement involving a seven-year-old victim. The investigation began after the child’s mother discovered sexual messages and media on her daughter’s phone. Tootle also faces a potential life sentence.
The success of Iron Pursuit builds on three major operations from 2025—Operations Relentless Justice, Enduring Justice, and Restore Justice—which collectively resulted in hundreds of rescues and arrests.
U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo noted that while law enforcement is using every tool available to catch these offenders, public awareness is just as vital. “Let these efforts also serve as a reminder to parents to be vigilant in consistently monitoring your children’s online activities,” DiGiacomo said.
The FBI’s Victim Services Division (VSD) played a central role in the operation, providing forensic interviews and mental health resources to the children located during the sweep. Officials continue to urge the public to report any suspicious activity to the FBI’s tip line or the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
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