Operation Soteria Shield: 244 Arrested Across Texas, 109 Children Rescued

The FBI Dallas led a coordinated child exploitation sting in April that led to the arrests of 244 people across Texas, including several suspects in Lubbock, the government revealed this week. Operation Soteria Shield, the study that lasted a month, also saved 109 children from being abused and exploited.

Over 70 police departments, including the Lubbock Police Department, the Dallas Police Department, the Plano Police Department, the Garland Police Department, and federal and state attorneys, collaborated on the large-scale operation. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children was also essential to the search.

"This operation was not easy, but it had to be done," said R. Joseph Rothrock, special agent in charge of the FBI in Dallas. "We will keep protecting the kids in our communities and making child predators pay for their crimes."

There are many charges that people can face, such as making, distributing, or possessing child sexual abuse material. Investigators also found terabytes of illegal digital material. As devices are analyzed for forensic evidence, more arrests are likely.

According to Plano Police Chief Ed Drain, online exploitation is "one of the most insidious crimes we face as a society." Wylie Police Chief Anthony Henderson called the effort a "powerful demonstration of unwavering dedication."

Dallas Police Chief Daniel Comeaux said, "Operation Soteria Shield was a huge team effort and a powerful reminder of what we can do when we work together toward a clear goal: protecting our kids."

The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children's CyberTipline is where people can report suspected child abuse.

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