FBI-Led operation rescues 109 children in one of largest U.S. crackdowns on child exploitation
A massive joint law enforcement operation involving over 70 agencies, including the FBI and various North Texas police departments, was launched to rescue children from online sexual exploitation. According to a report by the Dallas FBI office, the operation resulted in the rescue of 109 children and the arrest of 244 offenders.
Operation Soteria Shield, conducted in April 2025, also led to the confiscation of 1,130 digital devices and 213 terabytes of data containing illicit material involving children.
Detective Richard Hoeppner, with the Fort Worth Police Department’s Internet Crimes Against Children Division, stated, “This is not a fun unit to be in. The content is awful,” according to an NBC 5 DFW article. He also noted that while the job is dark, the light at the end of the tunnel is rescuing kids from abuse.
The collaboration of law enforcement officials from so many departments to achieve meaningful breakthroughs in justice reflects the best of our country’s justice system.
Officials indicate that the process of sentencing is still ongoing in the case.
