Latest news with #OperationRestoreJustice
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Yahoo
FBI and Department of Justice's 'Operation Restore Justice' lead to North Texas arrests
The Brief The FBI and DOJ are conducting "Operation Restore Justice," a nationwide effort to combat child sex predators, leading to numerous arrests. Recent operations have included a dozen arrests in North Texas, primarily related to online distribution and creation of child pornography, and the capture of a fugitive in Mexico. FBI Dallas will release details of upcoming arrests in the region in the coming weeks as part of this ongoing initiative. The Department of Justice and FBI are stepping up to identify and track child sex predators in what the FBI call "Operation Restore Justice". A recent operation led to dozens of new arrests, including some in North Texas. Big picture view FBI director Kash Patel says they've been "quietly surging operations" across the country to take down criminals who target kids. FBI Dallas is working with state and local law enforcement officials and soon plan to announce new arrests of alleged child predators. Part of a new initiative with FBI field offices across the Lone Star State. Earlier this month, the FBI announced the arrests of 205 alleged child sex offenders. They also identified and provided resources to 115 potential victims during a nationwide crackdown labeled "Operation Restore Justice." Local perspective A dozen of those arrests in North Texas were mostly related to distributing or manufacturing child pornography across an ever-evolving online landscape. Some investigations during the operation happened quickly and some took years of work. After more than a decade on-the-run, Rogelio Christopher Guadalupe Gonzalez was arrested in Mexico and returned to FBI custody for aggravated sexual assault of a child in Johnson and Tarrant counties. Authorities say the 50-year-old was working in Mexico as a scuba instructor. The FBI's national office had this to say after its operation: "It's very important to let the offenders know they are not out of reach of law enforcement regardless of where they are." What they're saying Jeremy Wright is an assistant special agent in charge of overseeing violent crime and spoke to FOX 4's David Sentendrey on the crime of distributing or manufacturing child pornography. "It's really frightening when you see how prevalent it really is," said Wright. "Now it's all the encrypted apps and stuff, and then you know you have platforms that don't want to share that information with law enforcement because that's their marketing strategy, like, 'Hey, we won't share with law enforcement.'" FBI Dallas says at any given time it'll have several hundred active investigations. "So, some will happen very quickly because it's a necessity and some will take a little bit longer just because the circumstances." What's next FBI Dallas says we'll see details of these upcoming arrests in the coming weeks. The Source Information in this article was provided from interviews conducted by FOX 4's David Sentendrey.
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Yahoo
USDOJ identifies 6 metro Atlanta area suspects in national child abuse operation
The U.S. Department of Justice revealed the identities of suspects arrested in north Georgia as part of Operation Restore Justice, an FBI-led child sex abuse operation. The FBI-led nationwide crackdown led to the arrests of more than 200 accused child sex abuse offenders across the United States. In Georgia, the USDOJ said six of the suspects were from areas around the metro Atlanta area. Those arrested include Austin Bedingfield of Douglasville, Ian Dudar of Roswell, Kenneth Frazier of Powder Springs, Eduardo Gardea of Norcross, Connie Lynn Thompson of Grantville and Christopher Welcher, also of Grantville. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Federal officials said the sting was meant to identify, track and arrest child predators across the country and 115 children were rescued during the operation. 'Sex crimes against minors are especially heinous,' U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg said in a statement. 'We commend our federal and local law enforcement partners for their tireless efforts to hold accountable those who prey on children and achieve a measure of justice for the victims and their families.' In addition to the six suspects from north Georgia, two others were arrested in south Georgia, Michael Alexander James, 44, of Waynesboro, and Martin Lindner, 52, of Augusta. TRENDING STORIES: Body found in search for missing kayaker at Lake Lanier 'He preyed on 5-year-olds': Father demands accountability after teacher arrested Severe storm risk in North Georgia Here are the charges the six men in north Georgia face: Austin Hunter Bedingfield was charged with distribution of child sexual abuse material and possession of child sexual abuse material. Bedingfield allegedly distributed graphic videos depicting the abuse of minors to an undercover officer via Kik. FBI agents conducted a search of Bedingfield's electronic devices and recovered additional images of sexual abuse of minor children. He was arrested on April 30, 2025. Ian Dudar was charged with possession of child sexual abuse material. Dudar allegedly purchased child sexual abuse material using Bitcoin from a commercial child exploitation ring on at least four occasions in 2022. Later, in January 2024, when FBI agents executed search warrants on his person and home, they found child sexual abuse material on two of his electronic devices. He was arrested on April 29, 2025. Kenneth Frazier was charged with enticement of a minor, receipt of child sexual abuse material, and possession of child sexual abuse material. On November 7, 2024, acting on tips to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, the Cobb County, Georgia, Police Department executed a search warrant at Frazier's residence in Powder Springs. Officers seized Frazier's cell phones, which contained hundreds of images and videos of children as young as infants and toddlers forced to engage in sex acts. One of Frazier's phones also contained chat transcripts in which Frazier allegedly described himself as a 'pedophile,' enticed a minor to engage in sexual activity, and received a visual depiction of that minor engaging in sexually explicit conduct. He was arrested on May 2, 2025. Eduardo Gardea was charged with distribution of child sexual abuse material and possession of child sexual abuse material. Gardea allegedly distributed child sexual abuse material on two internet platforms and possessed thousands of images depicting the sexual abuse of children. He was arrested on April 24, 2025. Connie Lynn Thompson was charged with obstruction of justice for allegedly destroying electronic devices to conceal the alleged child exploitation crimes of Christopher Welcher, who was also arrested during the operation, as is more fully described below. Approximately a week after Welcher's arrest, he allegedly called Thompson from jail and discussed a plan to destroy electronic devices that contained evidence against him. Although Thompson allegedly executed the concealment plan, the FBI recovered the damaged devices from Thompson's household trash. She was arrested on May 16, 2025. Christopher Welcher was charged with enticement of a minor, interstate travel to engage in an illicit sex act with a minor, possession of child sexual abuse material, and commission of a felony by a registered sex offender. On March 4, 2025, Welcher, a registered sex offender who previously served more than six years in federal prison for distributing child sex abuse materials, allegedly exchanged sexually explicit text messages with an undercover investigator he believed to be a 14-year-old girl. Welcher then drove from Alabama to the vicinity of a northwest Georgia high school to allegedly meet and molest the girl. Police arrested Welcher upon his arrival at the meeting location and seized his phone, which contained hundreds of images of child sex abuse. He was arrested on May 16, 2025. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Time of India
16-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
What is 8647? Did former FBI director James Comey threaten to kill Donald Trump?
A political firestorm has engulfed Washington after former FBI Director James Comey shared an Instagram post featuring a seemingly innocuous image of seashells — arranged to spell out the numbers '8647.' What appeared at first glance to be a whimsical beachside memento has instead sparked furious allegations of an assassination threat against President Donald Trump , prompted investigations by federal authorities, and reopened the festering wound of Trump vs. Comey — a bitter feud that has defined the darker undercurrents of American politics for nearly a decade. The '8647' Enigma At the centre of the uproar is the interpretation of the numbers '86 47.' In American slang, '86' can mean to cancel, get rid of, or even 'eliminate' someone. Meanwhile, '47' refers to Donald Trump's current position as the 47th President of the United States. Combined, conservative critics allege, the numbers amount to a coded call for Trump's assassination — an accusation that has escalated into a full-blown national security issue. The post was quickly deleted after backlash erupted online. Donald Trump Jr. led the charge, posting: 'Just James Comey casually calling for my dad to be murdered. This is who the Dem-Media worships. Demented!!!!' Right-wing commentators and lawmakers echoed the sentiment, framing the post as a veiled threat from a man who once headed the nation's top law enforcement agency. Comey, for his part, denied any sinister intent. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 35 & Earning? Protect Your Family with ₹1 Cr Life Cover ICICI Pru Life Insurance Plan Get Quote Undo In a follow-up Instagram statement, he said: 'I posted earlier a picture of some shells I saw today on a beach walk, which I assumed were a political message. I didn't realise some folks associate those numbers with violence. It never occurred to me but I oppose violence of any kind so I took the post down.' But in today's hyper-polarised climate, the clarification did little to stem the outrage. Federal Agencies Respond Kash Patel announces Operation Restore Justice under which over 200 child sex predators have been arrested. The fallout from the post has extended well beyond social media. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem declared on X (formerly Twitter) that the Department of Homeland Security and the Secret Service were treating the matter as a potential threat against the President. 'Disgraced former FBI Director James Comey just called for the assassination of @POTUSTrump,' she wrote. 'DHS and Secret Service is investigating this threat and will respond appropriately.' The Secret Service, tasked with protecting the President, confirmed the initiation of an investigation. A spokesperson told CNN: 'The Secret Service vigorously investigates anything that can be taken as a potential threat against our protectees. We take this responsibility very seriously.' FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed coordination with the Secret Service, stating on X: 'We are in communication with the Secret Service and Director (Sean) Curran. Primary jurisdiction is with SS on these matters and we, the FBI, will provide all necessary support.' Adding fuel to the fire, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard went on Fox News and declared that Comey should be imprisoned. 'I'm very concerned for [Trump's] life,' she said. 'And James Comey, in my view, should be held accountable and put behind bars for this.' While Gabbard has no legal authority to press charges — and many legal experts remain sceptical of whether the post rises to the level of a criminal threat — the controversy has nonetheless become a dominant political issue. A Violent Backdrop FILE - Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump is surrounded by U.S. Secret Service agents at a campaign rally, July 13, 2024, in Butler, Pa. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, File) The controversy is especially sensitive given its proximity to a near-fatal assassination attempt on Trump. On July 13, 2024, Trump was shot in the right ear while delivering a campaign speech in Butler, Pennsylvania. The shooter, reportedly a 19-year-old lone actor, was killed on site by a Secret Service sniper. One bystander died, and two others were injured. The attempt on Trump's life galvanised his supporters and shifted the tone of the 2024 presidential race. Then-President Joe Biden condemned the attack and called for unity, but the political temperature never truly cooled. In that context, any perceived threat to Trump — even in symbolic or numerical form — is viewed through an especially volatile lens. Trump vs. Comey: The Long War The '8647' episode cannot be fully understood without unpacking the long and bitter feud between Trump and James Comey. Once seen as a buttoned-up, by-the-book bureaucrat, Comey was appointed FBI Director in 2013 by President Barack Obama . His tenure, however, placed him at the centre of two of the most politically charged investigations in modern US history. First came the Clinton email probe. In July 2016, Comey held an extraordinary press conference announcing that the FBI would not recommend charges against Hillary Clinton for her use of a private email server while Secretary of State. While clearing her legally, he publicly criticised her actions as 'extremely careless,' drawing bipartisan condemnation — Democrats accused him of damaging Clinton's campaign; Republicans said he was letting her off easy. Then came the Russia investigation. After Trump won the presidency in November 2016, the FBI began investigating potential links between Trump's campaign and Russian efforts to interfere in the election. In May 2017, just months into his presidency, Trump abruptly fired Comey — an act that would later prompt the appointment of Special Counsel Robert Mueller . Trump justified the firing by calling Comey a 'grandstander' and a 'showboat,' and later admitted in an interview that the Russia investigation was a factor. That admission fueled allegations of obstruction of justice and sparked years of legal and political drama. Comey, now unshackled from government service, went on a media blitz. His memoir, A Higher Loyalty, was a bestseller. He became a fixture on MSNBC, Twitter, and college campuses — positioning himself as a defender of the rule of law against Trump's alleged abuses of power. To Trump and his base, Comey became a symbol of the so-called 'deep state' — an entrenched bureaucracy that, they argued, tried to delegitimise the Trump presidency through leaks, investigations, and partisan sabotage. To Comey's defenders, he was a principled public servant caught in a political firestorm not of his own making. The Political Fallout As of now, no charges have been filed, and the investigation into Comey's '8647' post remains ongoing. Legal analysts have cautioned that while the post may have been ill-advised or in poor taste, proving criminal intent — particularly incitement or threat — would require a high bar of evidence. But the political damage may already be done. The incident has reignited debates over free speech, the power of symbolism, and the weaponisation of national security apparatus for partisan ends. For Trump's supporters, it confirms suspicions that former officials still harbour ill will — and potentially worse. For Comey's defenders, the backlash is seen as another overreach by a government veering toward authoritarian tendencies. Whether '8647' was a cryptic message, a misunderstood reference, or simply an unfortunate coincidence, one thing is certain: the Trump-Comey saga is far from over. In today's America, even seashells can start a storm.
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Yahoo
FBI Atlanta cracks down on child sex abuse offenders
ATLANTA (WJBF) – The Federal Bureau of Investigation is cracking down on child sex abuse offenders. Investigators with the FBI in Atlanta say it's part of 'Operation Restore Justice' where they rescued 115 children and arrested 205 people in just the past week. In Georgia, the FBI says nine people were charged with the operation including five in Atlanta, two in Augusta and two in Rome. The FBI said those charges include possession of child sexual abuse material including pornographic content and material to entice a minor, and obstruction of justice. Officials say to remind your children to not share any comprising picture online or via phone, especially to stranger, as criminals can use that to threaten you for money. 'Those are the ones who will notice a change in behavior to monitor both their online and offline activity. Are they becoming secretive? Are they withdrawing activities that they enjoyed in the past? Are they talking about sexual topics that would be inappropriate or why they have that knowledge?' said Special Agent Paul Brown of FBI Atlanta. The FBI said this is part of a nationwide effort with all 55 FBI field offices working together to crack down on child abuse offenders. The Department wants the public to report any suspected child exploitation cases to the FBI tip line at 1-800-CALL-FBI or Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Yahoo
DOJ sex abuse crackdown nets 5 child porn suspects in L.A., Orange counties
The U.S. Department of Justice announced federal charges against five people in Los Angeles and Orange counties in connection with a national crackdown on child sexual abuse offenders. 'Since the end of April, the FBI arrested 205 subjects across the country and rescued 115 children during Operation Restore Justice,' the DOJ stated in its news release Wednesday. The following five individuals were arrested in the Central District of California, a seven-county jurisdiction that includes L.A. and Orange counties: Gregory Cole Jr., 30, of Lancaster Jose Olvera, 34, of North Hollywood Steven Martin Nuss, 66, of San Juan Capistrano David Eugene Parker, 55, of La Palma Andrew Castillon, 47, of El Monte Cole was arrested on April 30 in Arizona after failing to appear at trial in March where he was found guilty in absentia of one count of production of child pornography, one count of enticement of a minor to engage in criminal sexual activity and one count of receipt of child pornography. Cole will be sentenced to between 15 years and life in federal prison during a hearing on June 23, according to the DOJ. Olvera was arrested on May 1 on two counts of distribution of child pornography and five counts of possession of child pornography. Olvera has pleaded not guilty and is scheduled to go to trial on June 23. He is being held in jail without bail. Nuss was arrested on May 9 on a two-count indictment charging him with distribution of child pornography and possession of child pornography. Nuss pleaded not guilty to both charges and is being held without bond. He is scheduled to go to trial on July 1. Parker was arrested on April 30 on two counts of possession of child pornography. He pleaded not guilty and was released on $100,000 bail. Parker is scheduled to appear in court on June 24. Castillon was arrested on May 1 and charged with possession of child pornography. Castillon was released on a $5,000 bond and is scheduled for arraignment on May 27. 'Two additional individuals were arrested in Los Angeles for sexual exploitation of a child and charges of coercion and enticement, respectively; however, those cases are being prosecuted in separate districts,' the DOJ stated in the news release. The FBI offers its Safe Online Surfing program for parents and caregivers to stay engaged with their children's online and offline activities. The FBI urges the public to remain vigilant and report suspected exploitation of a child through 1-800-CALL-FBI (225-5324), or by calling your local FBI field office. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
