The Department of Justice has announced the results of Operation Restore Justice, a nationwide operation aimed at identifying and arresting child sex predators. This effort led to the rescue of 115 children and the arrest of 205 individuals accused of child sexual abuse offenses. The operation was conducted by all 55 FBI field offices, alongside 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 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 commended the FBI and its partners for their work on Operation Restore Justice.
FBI Director Kash Patel emphasized that “every child deserves to grow up free from fear and exploitation,” highlighting that Operation Restore Justice demonstrates that no predator is beyond reach. He added, “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.”
In Washington's Western District alone, seven federal cases progressed with criminal charges related to targeting minors for sexual abuse. Acting U.S. Attorney Teal Luthy Miller remarked on the significance of protecting children from abuse both online and in person.
Special Agent W. Mike Herrington from FBI Seattle detailed ongoing efforts in apprehending predators and recovering children throughout the year. In Seattle alone this fiscal year, they have arrested 122 subjects while identifying or locating 59 children.
Several cases were highlighted in Washington state as part of this crackdown:
- Mitchell Francis Dufault received a ten-year prison sentence for distributing images of child sexual abuse.
- Shante Broady was charged with sex trafficking through force fraud and coercion.
- Adam Ronald Ingram faced indictment for production of child pornography.
- Michael L. Gershowitz pleaded guilty to possession of abusive images.
- Randy Lee Young was arrested for alleged molestation and production of abusive material.
- Shaughn P. Lambert was indicted after images were found on his phone during supervision.
- Steve Ray Marical pleaded guilty following a cyber tip about abusive content possession.
Other arrests across the country included various crimes such as production, distribution, possession of abusive material, online enticement, transportation of minors, and sex trafficking.
Parental vigilance played a critical role in several cases leading to arrests shortly after disclosures by victims during community outreach events.
This initiative follows April's National Child Abuse Prevention Month as part of Project Safe Childhood—an effort started in May 2006 by the Department to combat child exploitation using federal resources alongside state partnerships.
The Department collaborates with organizations like NCMEC which operates a hotline for tips on possible exploitation at 1-800-THE-LOST or missingkids.org. The public is encouraged to report suspected exploitation through FBI channels.
Assistant United States Attorneys Cecelia Gregson, Kate Crisham, along with Special Assistant United States Attorney Laura Harmon are prosecuting these cases federally.