FBI busts 200 child predators nationwide: DOJ

Over 200 alleged child predators have been arrested during a five-day operation carried out by the FBI as well as multiple federal agencies. The arrests centered on suspected predators who have been in contact with minors online.

FBI Director Kash Patel wrote on X that he was joining Attorney General Pam Bondi in "announcing the arrest of over 200 alleged child sex predators in the last week."

"For the last week, the FBI and DOJ have been quietly surging operations across 55 field offices to take down criminals who target kids. We called this 'Operation Restore Justice.' Our agents, support teams and partners did excellent work — rescuing 115 children across the country in the process. Their work undoubtedly saved lives and protected vulnerable kids from further horrific crimes. Operation Restore Justice is a powerful message: If you harm children in America, you will be given no sanctuary. There is nowhere you can hide. You will be hunted down, and you will be prosecuted," Patel added.

Bondi said in a press conference regarding the arrests, "These depraved human beings, if convicted, will face the maximum penalty in prison," and that some will be facing life in prison. 

Patel noted in the press conference that some of those that were taken into custody were in “places of public trust” and added that there were “teachers, law enforcement personnel and other professionals that we look to safeguard our children” among the suspects.

Patel pointed to different examples of those arrested, including Minnesota State Trooper Jeremy Francis Plonski, who faces up to 15 years in prison, The Hill reported. He also noted that an illegal immigrant from Mexico, Jose Alexis Valdez Sosa, was arrested in Virginia and charged with transporting a minor across state lines.

According to a press release, the efforts from the FBI to nab child predators has been part of a concerted effort to find those preying on children. "Throughout the entire month of April, the FBI, along with our state and local law enforcement partners, additionally arrested more than 190 perpetrators on charges related to crimes against children. With nearly 400 arrests in one month, these actions are the direct result of the FBI’s continued efforts to track down and stop sexual predators before they can harm more victims," the FBI stated.