FBI Operation Rescues 109 Children in Texas

Operation Soteria Shield, led by the FBI Dallas Division and more than 70 Texas law enforcement agencies, resulted in the rescue of 109 children and the arrest of 244 suspected online child exploitation offenders. Conducted in April, the operation included 165 executed search warrants and the seizure of 1,130 digital devices containing over 213 terabytes of evidence, much of which is still under forensic review. Authorities filed 368 federal and state charges, noting that 21 of the suspects were already registered sex offenders. The effort also involved support from national organizations such as the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, and featured undercover operations and cyber tip investigations. Officials emphasized that further arrests and victim identifications may occur as analysis of digital evidence continues. The operation highlights the ongoing threat of online child exploitation and the importance of coordinated law enforcement responses.