In a powerful demonstration of nationwide law enforcement coordination, the Department of Justice has unveiled the results of "Operation Restore Justice," a sweeping crackdown on child sexual abuse that led to the arrest of 205 alleged offenders and the rescue of 115 children across the country, including America's largest metro areas like Los Angeles, San Francisco, Washington, D.C., Chicago, and New York. The initiative, spearheaded by the FBI with participation from all 55 field offices, highlights the government's commitment to protecting society's most vulnerable members from exploitation, according to the Department of Justice.
In Los Angeles and Orange counties alone, five defendants face federal charges as part of this nationwide operation. Andrew Castillon, 47, of El Monte, was arrested on May 1 and charged with possession of child pornography, as noted by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Central District of California. He was released on $5,000 bond with arraignment scheduled for May 27 in Los Angeles. Jose Olvera, 34, of North Hollywood, faces more serious charges including two counts of distribution and five counts of possession of child pornography.
Orange County Defendants
The operation also netted two defendants from Orange County. Steven Nuss, 66, of San Juan Capistrano, was arrested on May 9 on a two-count federal indictment charging him with distribution and possession of child pornography. A federal magistrate ordered Nuss held without bond after he pleaded not guilty to the charges. David Eugene Parker, 55, of La Palma, was arrested April 30 on federal grand jury indictment charging him with two counts of possession of child pornography, as reported by the FBI's Los Angeles Field Office.
Perhaps the most concerning case involves Gregory Cole Jr., 30, of Lancaster, who was already a fugitive after removing his ankle monitor and fleeing during his trial. Cole was arrested in Arizona on April 30 after previously being found guilty in absentia of production of child pornography, enticement of a minor, and receipt of child pornography. According to the evidence presented at his three-day trial, Cole used Instagram to entice a 16-year-old girl to send sexually explicit images between March and April 2024, as detailed by the Department of Justice.
Bay Area Bust Uncovers Disturbing Cache
The FBI's San Francisco operation proved equally chilling, with the arrest of Hayward resident Erik Antonio Contreras, 34, on April 30. Investigators were stunned to discover over 1,000 files of child sexual abuse materials on his electronic devices. The case took a particularly disturbing turn when authorities revealed Contreras had allegedly expressed desires to engage in sexual conduct with a 12-year-old girl in late 2023, triggering the search warrant that eventually brought him down, according to the FBI San Francisco Field Office.
Acting United States Attorney Patrick D. Robbins didn't mince words, stating that "the exploitation of children is appalling and horrific. It robs vulnerable young victims of their childhoods and inflicts serious long-lasting harm." The Bay Area arrest demonstrates how the operation cast a wide net across Northern California, with agents working around the clock to identify and apprehend suspects.
Chicago SWAT Team Called In For High-Risk Arrest
The Windy City wasn't spared in this nationwide dragnet. FBI Chicago's Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force arrested seven locals and one Florida-based suspect during the operation. One Chicago case proved particularly high-risk, requiring the FBI's Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team to execute an arrest warrant on April 30, highlighting the dangerous nature of these investigations, according to the FBI Chicago Field Office.
"Predators who seek to exploit or abuse our children are a danger to society and will be held accountable," declared Special Agent in Charge Douglas S. DePodesta. United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois Andrew S. Boutros emphasized the collaborative effort, noting that these charges "are the result of a collaborative law enforcement effort led by the FBI that seeks to hold these defendants accountable and provide justice for vulnerable victims."
D.C. Officer's Alleged Betrayal of Trust
In a particularly shocking development out of the nation's capital, a former Metropolitan Police Department officer was arrested for allegedly trafficking minor victims. The case represents a devastating betrayal of public trust by someone once sworn to protect the community. The arrest in Washington, D.C. was part of a broader pattern of suspects in positions of authority being caught up in the operation, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Georgia.
The capital region's involvement in the operation underscores how no place—not even the seat of the federal government—is immune from the scourge of child exploitation. Federal authorities have indicated that the investigation in the region remains active, with potentially more arrests to come as digital evidence continues to be analyzed.
Minneapolis State Trooper Among Those Nabbed
Minneapolis became another focal point of the operation when investigators arrested a state trooper and Army Reservist for allegedly producing child sexual abuse material while wearing his uniforms—a particularly disturbing abuse of position and authority. The case shocked the Twin Cities community and raised troubling questions about the vetting of individuals in positions of public trust, according to federal authorities who spoke about the case.
The Minneapolis arrest follows a troubling pattern seen throughout Operation Restore Justice, where individuals leveraged positions of authority or trust to facilitate exploitation. In this case, the suspect allegedly used the trappings of his official position—the very uniform meant to symbolize protection—to create exploitation material, making the betrayal all the more egregious.
New York Operation Nets Seven Suspects
The Empire State saw considerable action during the operation, with the FBI's New York Field Office participating in seven arrests. The cases were investigated by the FBI/NYPD Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force, as well as the FBI Hudson Valley Safe Streets Task Force, showing the deep integration of federal and local resources, according to the FBI New York Field Office.
"The FBI is relentless in our commitment to combatting child exploitation and abuse," stated Assistant Director in Charge Christopher G. Raia. "The FBI New York Field Office will never cease in its mission to apprehend anyone who preys on these vulnerable members of society." One particularly noteworthy New York region case came after a brave young victim disclosed abuse to FBI agents following an online safety presentation at a Capital Region school, demonstrating how education and outreach directly lead to arrests.
Nationwide Impact
This coordinated five-day enforcement action marks a significant milestone in the fight against child exploitation, with arrests spanning across various professional backgrounds, including school leaders and registered sex offenders. "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," declared Attorney General Pamela Bondi in the announcement from the FBI.
The variety of alleged crimes is equally disturbing, spanning from possession of child sexual abuse material to online enticement and child sex trafficking. In Minneapolis, for instance, a state trooper and Army Reservist was arrested for allegedly producing child sexual abuse material while wearing his uniforms. Meanwhile, in Washington, D.C., a former police officer was arrested for allegedly trafficking minor victims, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Georgia.
The Growing Concern of Digital Exploitation
The operation shines a light on the evolving nature of child exploitation in the digital age. Many perpetrators allegedly used social media platforms and messaging apps to target and exploit children. "The amount of child predators arrested during Operation Restore Justice should shock the conscience of any law-abiding citizen and parents or guardians, in particular," remarked Akil Davis, the Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI's Los Angeles Field Office, as reported by the U.S. Attorney's Office.
In Southern California, these cases reflect a troubling trend of online predation that has been amplified by increased digital connectivity and the proliferation of social media platforms. The FBI has been combating this through its Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Forces, which allow coordination between federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies. The agency also partners with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, which serves as a clearinghouse for tips about possible child exploitation.
Legal Proceedings and Potential Penalties
The defendants face serious potential consequences if convicted. Cole, for instance, faces a mandatory minimum of 15 years in federal prison and potentially life imprisonment for his crimes. Similarly, in other districts, defendants like Brittany Karen Firth in Florida face up to 70 years in prison if convicted of production, attempted production, distribution, and receipt of child sexual abuse material, as mentioned by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Middle District of Florida.
It's worth noting that these cases were brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in 2006 to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse. The project aims to better coordinate federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. This operational framework demonstrates the Justice Department's long-term commitment to this issue.
Community Vigilance and Prevention
The success of Operation Restore Justice also highlights the crucial role of community vigilance in protecting children. In one case, a California man was arrested just eight hours after a young victim came forward and disclosed their abuse to FBI agents following an online safety presentation at a school near Albany, New York. This example underscores how educational outreach can empower victims to speak up, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Texas.
The timing of the operation, following National Child Abuse Prevention Month in April, serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of prevention, education, and community awareness. Both parents and communities are encouraged to remain vigilant and report suspected exploitation of children through the FBI's tipline at 1-800-CALL-FBI or through tips.fbi.gov.
As this massive operation continues to process cases through the justice system, it sends a clear message to would-be predators: there is nowhere to hide. For those concerned about potential exploitation, resources like the 24/7 hotline at 1-800-THE-LOST and missingkids.org provide avenues to report suspicious activity and potentially prevent future victimization.
