Latest news with #OperationSoteriaShield
Int'l Business Times
a day ago
- Int'l Business Times
Hundreds Arrested in Texas Child Exploitation Sting After Decade-Long Investigation, More Than 100 Children Rescued
FBI task forces in Texas made almost 250 arrests and saved more than one hundred children in an operation targeting online sexual exploitation. Operation Soteria Shield took place over the course of April 2025, and saw law enforcement "seize 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. Devices recovered from the operation will undergo forensic analysis and more arrests may be made as this process is conducted. About 70 law enforcement agencies were involved 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. "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," said FBI Dallas Special Agent in Charge R. Joseph Rothrock. "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." 244 perpetrators involving child sex crimes were arrested, and 109 children involved were rescued, according to the Austin-American Statesman. "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. I am proud that the Dallas Police Department is the lead agency for the North Texas Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, and am grateful for the many, many agencies who contributed to this successful operation," said Dallas Police Chief Daniel C. Comeaux. "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. Operation Soteria Shield brought together an unprecedented level of collaboration and resolve to confront this crisis head-on. 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," said Plano Police Chief Ed Drain. The investigation took place over the course of the last 10 years. Originally published on Latin Times
American Military News
3 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.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Yahoo
East Texas man among those arrested in FBI's Operation Soteria for possession of child porn
VAN ZANDT COUNTY, Texas (KETK) — An East Texas man is among the 244 people arrested in connection to the FBI's Operation Soteria as they combat the exploitation of children in the digital space. Firefighter injured after early morning Longview house fire The Grand Saline Police Departmet received a cyber tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) about suspected child sexual abuse material uploaded on the internet. During an investigation, officers discovered a suspect's residence and conducted a search warrant in April that resulted in several electronic devices being seized. Walter Lynn Baird was arrested on April 14 and charged with possession of child pornography, then charged with indecency with a child sexual contact on May 15, according to the police department. Those inside the residence were questioned and Baird was taken into custody. According to officials, additional charges are possible and the investigation is still active. Future of NASA Scientific Balloon Facility in Palestine in question due to proposed budget cuts 'This case was part of Operation Soteria Shield, led by the North Texas Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force,' the police department said. 'The task force received significant support from NCMEC throughout the operation. Thanks to the collaborative efforts of local, state, and federal agencies, Operation Soteria Shield resulted in the arrest of 244 child predators and the rescue of 109 children.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Yahoo
109 Kids Saved, 244 Suspects Nabbed In Texas' ‘Operation Soteria Shield'
A month-long statewide law enforcement operation in Texas targeting online child exploitation resulted in the rescue of 109 children and the arrest of 244 suspects, authorities announced. Named Operation Soteria Shield, the effort was conducted in April 2025 and involved more than 70 Texas law enforcement agencies, led by the FBI Dallas Division, the North Texas Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force, and the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Texas. The operation, supported by the National ICAC Task Force, focused on identifying and apprehending individuals involved in the production, distribution, and possession of child sexual abuse material. Participating agencies, including the Dallas, Plano, Wylie, and Garland police departments, seized terabytes of illicit digital content stored on electronic devices, which are now undergoing forensic analysis. Authorities said additional arrests and victim identifications are possible. 'The numbers of offenders arrested and children rescued in this operation are significant,' said Acting U.S. Attorney Jay Combs. 'We remain committed to investigating and prosecuting these crimes to protect children from online sexual exploitation.' The effort has already led to multiple grand jury indictments in the Eastern District of Texas for charges related to child pornography distribution and sexual exploitation of minors. The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children provided critical intelligence and case coordination, contributing to the operation's success. '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,' said FBI Dallas Special Agent in Charge R. Joseph Rothrock. '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,' he added. Detective Rich, a key investigator from the Plano Police Department and member of the FBI Dallas Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force, played a central role. Known nationally and internationally for his work on computer-facilitated crimes against children, Rich helped coordinate the efforts of skilled investigators working around the clock. '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,' said Dallas Police Chief Daniel C. Comeaux. 'I am proud that the Dallas Police Department is the lead agency for the North Texas Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, and am grateful for the many, many agencies who contributed to this successful operation.' Plano Police Chief Ed Drain emphasized the operation's broader impact. '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,' 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.' Wylie Police Chief Anthony Henderson highlighted the operation's resolve. 'The coordinated efforts of all agencies involved in Operation Soteria Shield serve as a powerful demonstration of unwavering dedication in the battle against online child exploitation,' Henderson said. 'By exposing the darkest corners of the Internet, this operation has targeted predators who seek to harm vulnerable children.' Garland Police Chief Jeff Bryan underscored the mission's significance. 'Operation Soteria Shield was more than an enforcement effort; it was a mission to rescue, protect, and restore hope,' Bryan said. 'The scale of this operation sends a strong message: predators will be pursued, and survivors will never stand alone.' Operation Soteria Shield stands as one of the largest efforts of its kind in Texas in recent years, showcasing the power of interagency collaboration. Participating agencies included the Abilene, Allen, Arlington, Fort Worth, Frisco, McKinney, and San Antonio police departments, among others, as well as the Collin, Denton, and Tarrant county sheriff's offices, the Texas Department of Public Safety, and federal agencies like Homeland Security Investigations. Authorities expressed gratitude to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children for its vital support. The operation's success reflects a shared commitment to protecting children and ensuring justice for survivors of online exploitation.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Yahoo
244 arrested, 109 kids rescued in Texas' Operation Soteria Shield child exploitation sting
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 — CBS News contributed to this report. This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Operation Soteria Shield: Texas FBI arrests 244 for child exploitation
