The Department of Justice announced on May 5 the results of Operation Iron Pursuit, a one-month nationwide effort to locate child victims of sexual abuse and arrest offenders. More than 200 child victims were found and over 350 individuals were arrested across the country. Eight arrests occurred in the Eastern District of Michigan.
Operation Iron Pursuit ran from April 1 to April 30, coinciding with National Child Abuse Prevention Month as recognized by the Administration for Children and Families. The initiative involved all FBI field offices and U.S. Attorneys’ offices nationwide.
“This operation puts every child predator on notice: we are coming for you,” said Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche. “The sexual exploitation of minors is an abomination with no place in our society. We will hunt down these offenders, hold them fully accountable under the law, and deliver justice for victims.”
FBI Director Kash Patel said, “Every single day this FBI is working 24/7 to break networks of child abusers all across this country. Last year we joined our partners delivering a record year, identifying and rescuing over 6,300 missing children, and today’s announcement of Operation Iron Pursuit is just the latest success in that work — with over 200 victims located and over 350 offenders arrested. Let this be a message to criminal actors who seek to target America’s children: you will be pursued, and you will be brought to justice.”
United States Attorney Jerome F. Gorgon Jr. added, “Creeps work in the shadows to hurt our children. But we work harder with our partners to find those creeps, bring them to light, and prosecute them. We do it to protect American children.” Jennifer Runyan, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Detroit Field Office said participation in Operation Iron Pursuit demonstrates ongoing efforts “to safeguard our communities and protect children from those who seek to harm them.”
Victims included a ten-year-old from Utah recovered after being taken abroad under suspicious circumstances involving concerns about gender reassignment surgery; support was provided by the FBI Victim Services Division (VSD). Those arrested face charges such as sexual exploitation, sex trafficking, kidnapping, abuse crimes related to child sexual abuse materials (CSAM), cyberstalking using AI-generated material involving adults or children, production or distribution of pornography or illegal possession of firearms.
Operation Iron Pursuit follows three similar enforcement actions last year—Operation Relentless Justice (December), Enduring Justice (August), and Restore Justice (May)—which collectively led to hundreds more rescues and arrests.
The FBI’s VSD assisted during operations by providing forensic interviews as well as medical referrals for affected children while supporting families through recovery processes.
The Department works closely with organizations such as the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) which operates a tipline at missingkids.org or via phone at 1-800-THE-LOST for reporting suspected cases.
Authorities encourage anyone suspecting child exploitation or abuse activity contact their local FBI office or use tips.fbi.gov or call 1-800-CALL-FBI (225-5324). All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt.
