In a sweeping enforcement action, the FBI and its law enforcement partners have arrested 205 individuals for child sex abuse crimes and rescued 115 children, marking one of the largest child exploitation crackdowns in U.S. history. Dubbed Operation Restore Justice, the initiative was announced by the U.S. Department of Justice on May 7, 2025.
Southern District of Florida Among Impacted Regions
Six arrests occurred in the Southern District of Florida alone, part of a broad, coordinated operation involving federal, state, and local authorities. These arrests are a sobering reminder of the geographic breadth and scale of child sexual exploitation in the digital era.
A Product of Project Safe Childhood
The effort was launched under Project Safe Childhood, a DOJ initiative started in 2006 to combat online child exploitation through investigative collaboration, technological tools, and enhanced prosecution strategies.
DOJ: “This is About Justice and Protection”
Federal officials emphasized that the operation wasn’t solely about arrests—it was about protecting the vulnerable. “This is not just about arrests. It’s about safeguarding children and delivering justice,” said DOJ representatives during the announcement.
A Clear Warning to Offenders
As one of the most sweeping operations of its kind, Operation Restore Justice sends a powerful message: law enforcement is unified and determined to root out child predators wherever they operate. The DOJ pledged continued vigilance and community engagement to combat child exploitation and ensure justice for survivors.
