The Department of Justice (DOJ) has announced the results of Operation Restore Justice, a coordinated five-day nationwide enforcement effort that led to the rescue of 115 children and the arrests of 205 individuals identified as child sex predators. The operation was executed by all 55 FBI field offices, the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS) in the Department’s Criminal Division, and United States Attorney’s Offices across the country.
Attorney General Pamela Bondi emphasized the DOJ's unwavering commitment to protecting child victims, stating, "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." She also directed prosecutors not to negotiate with these offenders.
FBI Director Kash Patel echoed this sentiment, saying, "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. Operation Restore Justice proves that no predator is out of reach and no child will be forgotten."
Acting United States Attorney Chad Meacham praised the collaborative efforts of federal, state, and local law enforcement partners. FBI Dallas Special Agent in Charge R. Joseph Rothrock highlighted the crucial role of the North Texas Child Exploitation Task Force in protecting children.
Several individuals were arrested and charged in the Northern District of Texas as part of Operation Restore Justice:
- Angel Ramirez Flores (Lamesa, TX): Charged with Attempted Transfer of Obscene Material to Minors.
- Michael Huffman (Fort Worth, TX): Charged with Distribution of Child Pornography.
- Otho Earl London (Azle, TX): Charged with Possession of Child Pornography.
- Harold Lee Hill (Rockwall, TX): Charged with Transportation of a Minor with Intent to Engage in Criminal Sexual Activity.
- Jose Lizandro Trevino Rodriguez (Dallas, TX): Charged with Distribution of Child Pornography.
- Emmanuel Jacobo Reyes (Raleigh, NC): Charged with Production of Child Pornography.
- Robert Rayel (Benbrook, TX): Charged with Attempted Sexual Exploitation, Possession of Child Pornography, and Receipt of Child Pornography.
The DOJ emphasized that an indictment is merely an allegation, and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
Across the nation, arrests involved various crimes related to child sexual exploitation, including production, distribution, and possession of child sexual abuse material, online enticement and transportation of minors, and child sex trafficking.
The DOJ highlighted the critical role of parental vigilance and community outreach in bringing these offenders to justice. The operation underscores the Department’s ongoing commitment to Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in 2006 to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse.
The public is urged to report any suspected exploitation of a child through the FBI’s tip line at 1-800-CALL-FBI (225-5324), tips.fbi.gov, or by contacting their local FBI field office. The Department also partners with and oversees funding grants for the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), which can be reached at 1-800-THE-LOST or missingkids.org.
