The Department of Justice has announced the results of Operation Restore Justice, a nationwide initiative targeting child sex predators. This coordinated effort led to the rescue of 115 children and the arrest of 205 offenders over five days. The operation involved all 55 FBI field offices, the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section in the Criminal Division, and United States Attorney’s Offices across the country.
Attorney General Pamela Bondi stated, "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 also praised the FBI and its partners for their work on this operation.
FBI Director Kash Patel emphasized that "every child deserves to grow up free from fear and exploitation," adding that Operation Restore Justice demonstrates that no predator is beyond reach. He noted that leveraging resources from various agencies sends a clear message: there is no place to hide for those who prey on children.
U.S. Attorney Jerome F. Gorgon Jr. affirmed the commitment to using legal measures against those exploiting children, highlighting cooperation with federal, state, and local partners.
In Michigan's Eastern District alone, five individuals were charged with offenses related to child pornography and sex trafficking. These include Adarius Carr of Belleville, Aroul Kaliamurthy of Westland, Scott Rocky of Centerline, Amor Pedro Martinez of Ecorse, and Whitney Williams.
Cheyvoryea Gibson from the FBI Detroit Field Office highlighted local law enforcement partnerships as key to these arrests in eastern Michigan. He thanked several agencies for their support in this collaborative effort.
Other arrests across the nation involve various crimes such as production and distribution of child sexual abuse material and child sex trafficking. Notably, cases include a state trooper in Minneapolis accused of producing such material while in uniform and an illegal alien in Norfolk accused of transporting a minor for sex.
Community vigilance played a crucial role in some arrests. For instance, a California man was apprehended shortly after a young victim reported abuse following an online safety presentation at a school near Albany.
This operation coincides with National Child Abuse Prevention Month observed by the Department in April. It underscores ongoing efforts through Project Safe Childhood to combat child sexual exploitation since its launch in May 2006.
The Department collaborates with organizations like the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) to handle tips about potential exploitation via hotlines or websites. Public vigilance is encouraged through reporting suspected exploitation via FBI channels.
An indictment or complaint is only an allegation; defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt in court.