The Department of Justice has announced the results of Operation Restore Justice, a nationwide initiative targeting child sex offenders. The operation led to the rescue of 115 children and the arrest of 205 individuals involved in child sexual abuse offenses. This coordinated effort was carried out over five days by all 55 FBI field offices, the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section in the Department’s Criminal Division, and United States Attorney’s Offices across the country.
Attorney General Pamela Bondi emphasized the department's commitment to protecting victims, particularly children. "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," she stated. She also expressed gratitude towards the FBI and its partners for their efforts in Operation Restore Justice.
FBI Director Kash Patel reiterated this commitment: "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." He highlighted that no predator is beyond reach.
In Maryland, two individuals were indicted as part of this operation. Donald Robert Wilt Edwards, Sr., a former Baltimore resident now living in West Virginia, faces charges related to sexual exploitation of a minor. Joel Thomas Biermann from University Park, Maryland, is charged with multiple offenses concerning child exploitation.
Nationwide arrests included varied crimes such as production and distribution of child sexual abuse material and child sex trafficking. Notable cases include a state trooper arrested in Minneapolis for producing abusive material while wearing uniforms, an illegal alien accused in Norfolk for transporting a minor across state lines for sex, and a former police officer arrested in Washington D.C. for alleged trafficking.
Community involvement played a crucial role in these operations. In one instance, a man was arrested shortly after a young victim reported abuse following an online safety presentation at school.
Operation Restore Justice aligns with National Child Abuse Prevention Month observed by the Department in April. The initiative is part of Project Safe Childhood launched by the Department of Justice in May 2006 to combat child exploitation.
The department collaborates with organizations like the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) which provides resources through its hotline at 1-800-THE-LOST.
Public vigilance is encouraged by reporting suspected exploitation via FBI's tipline at 1-800-CALL-FBI or tips.fbi.gov.
An indictment serves as an allegation; defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt.
For further information about Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office resources visit www.justice.gov/usao-md.