Norfolk FBI arrests 3 people in child sex abuse nationwide crackdown
The FBI Norfolk Field Office arrested three people as part of 'Operation Restore Justice.'
Among them is a suspect from Williamsburg, who was arrested after he allegedly threatened to sexually abuse a police officer's young family member. The FBI says the suspect also sent obscene images of the sexual abuse of children.
Another Norfolk case involves an illegal immigrant from Mexico accused of transporting a minor across state lines for sex.
'Child sexual exploitation cases are among the most disturbing the FBI works,' said FBI Norfolk Acting Special Agent in Charge, Patrick O'Brien. 'It's why the work that we do in this field is so impactful. Operation Restore Justice showcases the commitment we have to stopping and holding accountable anyone who engages in sexual exploitation of children, as well as the threat of exploitation.'
The Department of Justice announced the results of the coordinated effort on May 7. Last week alone, the FBI arrested 205 people and rescued 115 children across the country as part of Operation Restore Justice.
'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,' said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. 'I am grateful to the FBI and their state and local partners for their incredible work in Operation Restore Justice and have directed my prosecutors not to negotiate.'
Some of the suspects arrested in this operation included people in positions of public trust, such as law enforcement, members of the military and teachers.
In Minneapolis, a state trooper and Army Reservist was arrested for producing sexual abuse material of a young child while wearing his uniforms.
In Washington, D.C., a former MPD Police Officer previously convicted for sex trafficking was again arrested for doing the same thing.
In Louisville, Kentucky, two teachers were charged in separate incidents involving alleged inappropriate communication and behavior with students.
The crimes investigated by the FBI include the production, distribution, and possession of child sexual abuse material, online enticement and transportation of minors, and child sex trafficking.
Hundreds of special agents, intel analysts and other FBI personnel were involved in bringing the offenders to justice.
'While the Bureau works relentlessly to investigate these crimes every day, April serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of prevention, community education and the FBI's never-ending pursuit of criminals who exploit our children,' the FBI said in a news release.
April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month.
The FBI partners with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), which receives and shares tips about possible child sexual exploitation received through its 24/7 hotline at 1-800-THE-LOST and on missingkids.org. In further partnership and collaboration with NCMEC, the FBI launched the Endangered Child Alert Program (ECAP) in 2004 to identify individuals involved in the sexual abuse of children and the production of child sexual abuse material. To date, ECAP has identified 36 individuals.
The FBI urges the public to remain vigilant and report any suspect crime against a child to 911 and local law enforcement immediately, as well as the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (225-5324), online at tips.fbi.gov or by contacting your local FBI field office.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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