Back in April 2025, the FBI in Dallas and North Texas led a mission of over 70 law enforcement agents across Texas. Law enforcement from major cities, including Dallas, Garland, and Plano, as well as smaller cities like Amarillo, Abilene, and Lubbock, participated in this operation. The mission was called Operation Soteria Shield.
Purpose of the FBI’s Operation Soteria Shield?
Operation Soteria Shield was an operation by the North Texas Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and the FBI Dallas’s North Texas Child Exploitation Task Force. Its purpose was to rescue children from online sexual exploitation.
The task force used the knowledge of computer crimes investigators to identify victims of these heinous crimes and bring the offenders to justice. This included offenders who produced, distributed, and had child sexual abuse material.
What were the results of Operation Soteria Shield?
The operation saved 104 children, and law enforcement arrested 244 offenders. In the process, investigators recovered a massive amount of digital evidence with terabytes of illegal content. Forensic experts are currently going through this material, and this could lead to even more arrests and the rescue of new victims.
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. – Wylie Police Chief Anthony Henderson.
Who Gets Sentenced for Child Pornography in the US?
According to the United States Sentencing Commission (USSC), the stats for those sentenced for child pornography are shocking:
- 47.3% of those sentenced for child pornography were sentenced for trafficking
- 43.9% were arrested for possession of child pornography
- 8.8% were sentenced for receiving child pornography
- 98.8% were men
- 77.1% White, 12.8% Hispanic, 5.8% Black, 4.3% other
- Average age 41
- 96.2% were US Citizens
Which Parts of Texas Have the Most Child Exploitation Cases?
In those statistics from the USSC, two Texas areas were in the top 5 districts for those sentenced for child pornography: #2 was the Southern District of Texas, and #5 was the Western District of Texas.
Read More: Texas Predator Sentenced to 50 Years After Luring Children Online
Where Do Online Predators Find Their Victims?
According to the Texas Attorney General, child predators use social media sites, apps, and chat rooms to find their victims. The average age of children they target is 10 – 17 years old.
Texas Remains Vigilant in the Fight Against Crimes Against Children
Thankfully, law enforcement still focuses and is committed to pursuing those individuals who prey on children here in Texas.
Read More: The Mystery of Missing Texas Woman Jane McDonald-Crone
Hopefully, one day we will live in a world where our children are safe from these types of predators.
Active Most Wanted Cases for FBI Office in Dallas
These are the most wanted fugitives and missing people from the FBI field office in Dallas, Texas.
Gallery Credit: Billy Jenkins
10 Famous FBI Crimes or Criminals Linked to Texas
Here is a look at 10 different cases or criminals with links to the state of Texas.
Gallery Credit: Billy Jenkins
3 Most Dangerous Cities in Texas According to FBI Data
Looking at the statistics by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) here are the three most dangerous cities in Texas.
Gallery Credit: Billy Jenkins
