(WSAW) – The Department of Justice has announced the results of Operation Restore Justice, a coordinated enforcement effort to identify, track and arrest child sex predators.
The operation resulted in the rescue of 115 children and the arrests of 205 child sexual abuse offenders in the nationwide crackdown.
“The Department of Justice will never stop fighting to protect victims — especially child victims—and we will not rest until we hunt down, arrest, and prosecute every child predator who preys on the most vulnerable among us,” Attorney General Pam Bondi said. “I am grateful to the FBI and their state and local partners for their incredible work in Operation Restore Justice and have directed my prosecutors not to negotiate.”
“Every child deserves to grow up free from fear and exploitation, and the FBI will continue to be relentless in our pursuit of those who exploit the most vulnerable among us,” FBI Director Kash Patel added. “Operation Restore Justice proves that no predator is out of reach and no child will be forgotten. By leveraging the strength of all our field offices and our federal, state and local partners, we’re sending a clear message: there is no place to hide for those who prey on children.”
The acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin announced two individuals who were arrested and charged as part of the operation.
The first is Troy Schaden, 44, who was charged with receipt, distribution, and possession of Child Sex Abuse Material (CSAM). According to court records, a search warrant was conducted at Schaden’s home on March 5. Law enforcement seized multiple electronic devices containing CSAM that Schaden had purchased from someone in the United Kingdom and then distributed to others.
The second is Victor Vega Rojo, 49, who was also charged with distribution and possession of CSAM. Court records show Vega Rojo does not have legal status in the country, and he is now in the custody of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). When a search warrant was conducted at his home, law enforcement seized multiple electronic devices that contained CSAM. The investigation revealed he distributed CSAM and possessed hundreds of images of CSAM.
“I commend the efforts of all involved in seeking to hold these offenders accountable and to pursue justice for victims of these devastating offenses,” Acting U.S. Attorney Richard Frohling said.
If convicted of receipt or distribution of CSAM, Vega Rojo and Schaden each face five to 20 years in prison. If convicted of possession of CSAM, both would face up to 20 years in prison.
“The message is clear, the FBI has an unwavering commitment to protecting children against sexual abuse,” FBI Milwaukee Special Agent in Charge Michael Hensle said. “Through ‘Operation Restore Justice’ and day-to-day operations alongside our local, state and federal law enforcement partners, we’re dedicated to keeping kids safe in our Wisconsin communities.”
Others arrested around the country are alleged to have committed various CSAM crimes.
In many cases, parental vigilance and community outreach efforts played a critical role in bringing these offenders to justice.
The efforts follow the DOJ’s observance of National Child Abuse Prevention Month in April. While the Department, including the FBI, investigates and prosecutes these crimes every day, officials say April serves as a reminder of the importance of preventing these crimes, seeking justice for victims, and raising awareness through community education.
These cases were brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the DOJ.
The coordinated effort took place over five days by all 55 FBI field offices, the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section in the Department’s Criminal Division, and United States Attorney’s Offices around the country.
Resources:
For more information about Project Safe Childhood, visit www.justice.gov/psc.
The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) receives and shares tips about possible child sexual exploitation received through its 24/7 hotline at 1-800-THELOST and on missingkids.org.
People should always remain aware and report suspected exploitation of a child through the FBI’s tipline at 1-800-CALL-FBI (225-5324), tips.fbi.gov, or by calling your local FBI field office.
Other resources can be found here and here.
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