Justice Department Arrests Over 350 in Child Sex Abuse Operation

The Justice Department announced on May 5, 2026, the results of Operation Iron Pursuit, which located more than 200 child victims of sex abuse and led to the arrest of over 350 child sexual abuse offenders across the United States.

The operation affected child victims and offenders nationwide, with participation from all 56 FBI field offices and U.S. Attorneys' offices in every state and territory. Per the Justice Department announcement, the effort identified and rescued over 200 children who had been subjected to sexual abuse, while apprehending more than 350 individuals involved in such crimes.

This scope covers diverse populations, including vulnerable minors in urban and rural areas, as the FBI's nationwide network ensures coverage of all regions.

Prior to Operation Iron Pursuit, child sex abuse cases were handled through ongoing investigations by individual FBI offices and prosecutors. The new state, following the one-month coordinated takedown, includes the immediate removal of over 350 alleged offenders from society and the provision of safety and support services to the located victims.

The changes took effect during the operation period, which concluded before the May 5, 2026, announcement, with arrests and rescues occurring in real time across the month.

The arrests trigger federal prosecution processes, requiring U.S. Attorneys' offices to file charges under statutes such as 18 U.S.C. § 2251 for child sexual exploitation, with court proceedings now in motion in multiple district courts. Located victims enter protective custody and receive assistance from child welfare agencies, activating deadlines for victim support programs funded by the Department of Health and Human Services.

The operation's results compel state and local law enforcement to integrate findings into ongoing cases, potentially accelerating related investigations.

Operation Iron Pursuit represents the latest in a series of DOJ-led initiatives targeting child exploitation, following efforts like Project Safe Childhood, which has coordinated federal, state, and local resources since 2006. Congress has allocated funding for such operations through the annual Justice Department budget, with the Fiscal Year 2026 appropriations supporting expanded FBI child protection teams.