244 arrested, 109 kids rescued in Texas' Operation Soteria Shield child exploitation sting

Yahoo

3 days ago

Local FBI task forces in North Texas announced the rescue of over a hundred children, along with nearly 250 arrests, involving online sexual exploitation.
The operation, called Operation Soteria Shield, took place throughout April 2025 and used the expertise of computer crimes investigators.
In addition to the arrests and rescues, law enforcement "seized extensive volumes of digital evidence, including terabytes of illicit data stored on electronic devices that were used in the commission of these crimes," according to the FBI's press release.
As the devices continue to undergo forensic analysis, more arrests may be made and more victimized children may be identified.
Around 70 law enforcement agencies assisted in the operation, including:
North Texas Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force
North Texas Child Exploitation Task Force, FBI Dallas Division
National Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force
Dallas, Plano, Wylie and Garland police departments
A total of 244 individuals have been charged with exploiting children for the purpose of sex trafficking or pornography. The operation also led to the rescue of 109 children.
"Operation Soteria Shield brought together over 70 agencies from across the state of Texas, including police departments, federal agencies, state and federal prosecutors, children's advocacy centers, and the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children. We had a common goal, which was to rescue children from abuse and exploitation," FBI Dallas Special Agent in Charge R. Joseph Rothrock said. "This was not an easy operation, but a necessary one. The FBI and our law enforcement partners will continue to protect the children in our communities, and we will hold child predators accountable for their crimes."
Rothrock also noted that threats to child safety have "moved past" the concerns of generations like his, in which children were cautioned against "faceless strangers that might try to contact us or cause harm on the street." Instead, predators now have access to victims through technology.
"Online exploitation of children is one of the most insidious crimes we face as a society. It reaches into every community, crosses every boundary, and leaves lasting harm on its youngest victims," Plano Police Chief Ed Drain said. "Through this operation, we not only rescued children from unimaginable abuse, but we also sent a clear message: those who seek to harm our children online will be found and brought to justice. Our work is far from over, but this effort has made our communities safer and brought hope to those who need it most."
Dallas Police Chief Daniel C. Comeaux called the operation "a massive team effort and a powerful reminder of what we can accomplish when we unite around one clear mission: protecting our kids and holding offenders accountable."
The collaboration of agencies involved in the operation began 10 years ago, according to CBS News. Authorities say sex offenders never actually meet their victims face-to-face. Instead, they pressure children to send explicit photos and videos. In addition to social media, predators use online gaming systems to contact their victims.
Authorities emphasize the importance of children's internet safety. The U.S. Department of Justice provides several resources and tips for kids and parents on staying safe in online spaces. The FBI has also created the Safe Online Surfing (SOS) Internet Challenge, a free educational program designed for students in grades 3 through 8. It teaches kids about cyber safety and includes topics like cyberbullying, passwords, malware and social media. SOS is available in English and Spanish.
Reports of online child sexual exploitation can be submitted by calling 911 or visiting report.cybertip.org.
— CBS News contributed to this report.
This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Operation Soteria Shield: Texas FBI arrests 244 for child exploitation