SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — An FBI operation in North Texas ended with 244 people being charged and arrested for crimes of child pornography and sex trafficking, according to a CBS News article.
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Officials report that the success of Operation Soteria Shield led to 109 children being rescued from exploitation. The operation began in April, and 70 law enforcement agencies were involved in capturing the criminals.
“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,” said FBI Dallas Special Agent R. Joseph Rothrock in a press conference.
In a Facebook post, Dallas FBI posted photos of those arrested.
Source: FBI – Dallas Facebook page
According to an official FBI report, terabytes of child abuse sexual content were seized in addition to the arrests.
Authorities said that the sex offenders rarely met their victims in person, instead using technology to push children into sending explicit pictures and videos. The head of the Dallas FBI office noted that social media isn’t the only method sex offenders use, but online gaming systems as well.
While the operation successfully took hundreds of child predators out of the equation, authorities say it’s a year-round problem, urging families to use parental controls on devices, and be aware that there are many more still out there.
“The trauma inflicted by these crimes runs deep, affecting not only the victims, but also their families and entire communities. With every arrest made and every child protected, the operation moves us closer to a safer community.” said Garland Police Chief Jeff Bryan in an FBI report.
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