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American Military News
2 days ago
- American Military News
244 child sex predators arrested, 109 kids rescued in major FBI operation
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) announced on Tuesday that 244 child sex predators were arrested and 109 children were rescued from online sexual exploitation in a recent operation in Texas. In a Tuesday press release, the FBI Dallas Field Office published the results of Operation Soteria Shield, which was conducted by the FBI Dallas Field Office's North Texas Child Exploitation Task Force and the North Texas Internet Crimes Against Children. According to the press release, over 70 law enforcement agencies in Texas worked as part of Operation Soteria Shield in order to 'combat the exploitation of children in the digital space.' FBI officials explained that law enforcement agencies used the 'expertise of highly skilled computer crimes investigators that worked around the clock' to identify over a hundred victims and arrest child sex abuse offenders who produced, distributed, or possessed child sexual abuse materials. The FBI said Operation Soteria Shield led to the arrest of 244 child sexual abuse offenders and the rescue of 109 children. Tuesday's press release also noted that law enforcement officials 'seized extensive volumes of digital evidence, including terabytes of illicit data stored on electronic devices that were used in the commission of these crimes' and explained that the electronic devices will be analyzed and could lead to the identification of other victims and child sex abuse offenders. READ MORE: Videos: 200+ child sex predators arrested, 115 kids rescued in major FBI operation '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.' In another Tuesday press release, Eastern District of Texas Acting U.S. Attorney Jay Combs described the number of children rescued and the number of child sex abuse offenders arrested as part of the joint law enforcement operation as 'stunning.' 'The numbers leave us breathless because, at some level, we understand that behind every statistic, every number, there is a child with dreams, aspirations, and the right to live a life free from sexual exploitation,' Combs said.
Newsweek
3 days ago
- Newsweek
Texas Operation Rescues Over 100 Kids from Human Trafficking—FBI
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Texas law enforcement agencies rescued 109 children and arrested 244 suspected offenders in a large-scale operation targeting online child exploitation, said the FBI. The monthlong initiative, called Operation Soteria Shield, was conducted in April by more than 70 Texas law enforcement agencies and federal partners, across the north of the state. The operation aimed to identify and free victims of abuse, while seizing key digital evidence of these crimes, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Dallas Division said in a press release Tuesday. Authorities confirmed that the operation—jointly managed by the FBI Dallas Division, Dallas Police Department, Plano Police Department, Wylie Police Department, and Garland Police Department—resulted in the confiscation of terabytes of illicit data and ongoing forensic analysis that may lead to more arrests and the discovery of additional victims. A large-scale operation targeting online child exploitation in Texas resulted in the arrest of 244 suspected offenders. A large-scale operation targeting online child exploitation in Texas resulted in the arrest of 244 suspected offenders. FBI - Dallas Why It Matters Online child exploitation is an escalating threat as technology gives predators unprecedented access to minors in their own homes. The scope and success of Operation Soteria Shield highlights both the widespread nature of these crimes and the increasing need for coordinated law enforcement responses nationwide. What To Know Operation Soteria Shield engaged more than 70 agencies, including national organizations such as the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) and local departments stretching from Dallas to Amarillo. The FBI said NCMEC analysts provided "vital intelligence and case coordination," which aided in the success of the operation. FBI Dallas Special Agent in Charge R. Joseph Rothrock said children's advocacy centers and prosecutors at the state and federal level were also involved in the initiative. Officials seized 1,130 digital devices and over 213 terabytes of digital evidence during the operation. Plano Police Department Assistant Chief Dan Curtis said that many of the rescued children were previously unidentified and never reported missing. Officials said, in many of these cases, online predators used technology such as social platforms and gaming networks to coerce minors into sharing explicit content, often without meeting their victims in person. The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Texas announced that the operation has led to grand jury indictments for distributing child sexual abuse material and sexually exploiting children to produce it. What People Are Saying FBI Dallas Special Agent in Charge R. Joseph Rothrock, in a statement: "We shared a common goal: to rescue children from abuse and exploitation. 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." Dallas Police Chief Daniel C. Comeaux, in a statement: "Operation Soteria Shield was 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." Plano Police Chief Ed Drain, in a statement: "Online exploitation of children is one of the most insidious crimes. It reaches into every community, crosses every boundary, and leaves lasting harm on its youngest victims. Operation Soteria Shield brought together an unprecedented level of collaboration and resolve to confront this crisis head-on." Jay Combs, Eastern District of Texas Acting U.S. Attorney, in a statement: "The numbers of offenders arrested and children rescued in this operation are stunning. Behind every statistic, there is a child with dreams and the right to live a life free from sexual exploitation. We are committed to teaming with law enforcement to investigate and prosecute these cases with urgency and ferocity in order to protect our children." What Happens Next Authorities are continuing to analyze seized devices and digital material, with further arrests and victim identifications possible as investigations develop. Do you have a story that Newsweek should be covering? Do you have any questions about this story? Contact LiveNews@
Yahoo
19-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
New FBI Dallas Special Agent in Charge talks immigration, cyberattacks, World Cup and more
The Brief FBI Dallas Special Agent in Charge Joseph Rothrock has now been in office for 100 days. Rothrock met with reporters this week to talk about his priorities. He answered several questions about immigration, the upcoming World Cup and more. DALLAS - FBI Dallas Special Agent in Charge Joseph Rothrock came to North Texas in January and just finished his first 100 days in office. Rothrock spoke to reporters to outline his priorities. The Trump administration has cracked down on illegal immigration over the last few months. Rothrock says his group has a role in the effort, but that the FBI assisting ICE is nothing new. What they're saying "Certainly the pace and breadth of our cooperation has increased. That is a positive. I think our community should expect law enforcement to move quickly to share information, especially as it relates to violent criminals or national security concerns, so that we can act in the most expedient remedy and keep our community safe," said Rothrock. "Without getting into all the specifics, we're providing broad support, both on the analytical side to help identify and prioritize some of those that actors, investigative resources to help locate. And help arrest with those where necessary." The Dallas Police Department recently faced controversy over efforts to reassure immigrant communities that police can be trusted. Rothrock was asked if he's concerned about people being scared to report crime, in fear of being deported themselves. What they're saying "[I] certainly understand why that would be a concern for some of the community. What I would say is reporting crimes to the FBI is important. We don't have access to the information if the community doesn't come forward and report that to us. We can't bring our authorities and look to hold people accountable without reporting," said Rothrock. When asked about his greatest concerns, Rothrock first brought up cyberattacks. What they're saying "Cyber actors that are carrying out ransomware attacks or hackers that are attacking our critical infrastructure. Those areas that we need to keep our nation running, those are certainly significant national security concerns," he said. "The threat in that cyberspace, whether it be from hackers or ransomware tech, continues to expand. Our efforts in this space really start well before a breach occurs, and that is gaining an understanding and helping private sector prepare." Another of Rothrock's greatest concerns is protecting children. What they're saying "Technology in that space has given child predators access to children in a way we just haven't seen in the past, and technology is going to continue to drive that threat and drive its evolution. And we at the FBI are going to do everything we can to identify how child predators would technology to target children, hold them accountable, and bring justice to children," he said. The World Cup is coming to the United States in 2026. Nine matches will be held in Arlington. The FBI is often called to help with large events. Rothrock says the World Cup provides unique security issues. What they're saying "Preparation for a Super Bowl is one event over a couple of weeks. This is just here in North Texas, nine events over 30 plus days, combined with a number of other fan experiences, and I'm sure community events that'll rise up to support their teams and where they have a rooting interest. So it's going to be a unique challenge. Do I think FBI Dallas and our partners here across North Texas are up to the challenge? I do," he said. "Our role is to bring a threat picture, bring intelligence and work to help position our local officers and our state officers on how they're going to best position themselves in those special events." The Source Information in this article comes from interviews with Special Agent in Charge Joseph Rothrock on April 15, 2025.
CBS News
15-04-2025
- Sport
- CBS News
Dallas FBI Special Agent-in-Charge reflects on first 100 Days, upcoming World Cup security
With his first 100 days as the head of the Dallas FBI office behind him, Special Agent-in-Charge Joseph Rothrock said the public may not be aware of the results, but criminals are. "Going back to October 1, FBI Dallas has been responsible for more than 300 arrests," said Rothrock. "That's 300 either violent criminals, gang members, drug traffickers, white-collar criminals or child predators." Rothrock touted the federal agency's recent work during a rare open discussion with the media at its Dallas headquarters. "I'm always going to look at violent crime as the thing we need to do first," Rothrock said. Rothrock said the FBI currently has 100 area police officers from 50 surrounding agencies assigned to 20 task forces. "That task force will be responsible for addressing violent crimes such as homicide, robberies, and carjackings," Rothrock said. While that work goes on, the Dallas FBI Bureau is also preparing for one of the biggest security challenges it's ever faced — when nine World Cup soccer games are played over 30 days across North Texas. Rothrock said he's confident fans will be safe. "There are significant challenges that come with securing not just venues for where matches, the matches will be played, training centers for teams, fan experiences and just sort of other pop up events where the community might want to rally around their team," Rothrock said. The special agent-in-charge said his agents have also learned from recent experience how to better respond to mass casualty events and terrorism than they did 30 years ago this week after the Oklahoma City bombing. "We demonstrate that we are able to respond to these types of events," said Rothrock. "And while it was before my arrival, I think you've seen examples of that with the Allen, Allen Mall shooting." Rothrock would not discuss recent political turmoil at the top of the FBI, instead saying he is only focused on carrying out its mission of fighting crime.
