Operation Soteria Shield Results in 276 Child Exploitation Arrests and Rescue of 89 Children Across Texas

The FBI Dallas Division’s North Texas Child Exploitation Task Force and the North Texas Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force have announced the results of Operation Soteria Shield, a large-scale child exploitation enforcement operation that resulted in 276 arrests tied to child exploitation offenses and the rescue of 89 children across Texas.

The operation was jointly managed by the FBI Dallas Division, Dallas Police Department, Plano Police Department, Wylie Police Department, and Garland Police Department during March and April 2026.

According to federal investigators, Operation Soteria Shield brought together 91 law enforcement agencies and approximately 197 law enforcement personnel operating across multiple jurisdictions throughout Texas. Investigators, digital forensic examiners, intelligence analysts, prosecutors, victim advocates, and child advocacy partners coordinated investigative efforts focused on identifying offenders exploiting children through digital platforms and internet-based communication systems.

The operation targeted individuals involved in the possession, distribution, production, solicitation, promotion, and trafficking of child sexual abuse material, along with offenses involving online solicitation of minors, trafficking activity, sexual assault, coercion, and other exploitation-related crimes targeting children.

Federal investigators stated many of the investigations involved offenders using social media platforms, messaging applications, gaming systems, encrypted communication services, anonymous online identities, and live digital communication environments to contact and exploit minors.

Investigators also focused on locating exploited children, identifying previously unknown victims, recovering digital evidence, and connecting children and families with protective services and advocacy resources. Authorities stated many investigations tied to Operation Soteria Shield remain active while forensic examinations continue on seized electronic devices, cloud storage accounts, communication records, and digital evidence obtained during search warrants and arrests.

Federal investigators stated additional criminal charges may still be filed as ongoing evidence analysis continues.

FBI Dallas Special Agent in Charge R. Joseph Rothrock stated that Operation Soteria Shield demonstrated the effectiveness of coordinated law enforcement partnerships operating across local, state, and federal levels to identify predators exploiting children through online systems and digital communication platforms.

Dallas Police Department Chief Daniel C. Comeaux stated the operation reflected a united effort focused on identifying offenders, rescuing victims, and holding individuals accountable for crimes involving the exploitation of children.

Plano Police Department Chief Ed Drain stated that exploitation increasingly occurs through online environments, digital devices, and internet-based communication systems, requiring continuous adaptation by investigators confronting evolving technological threats.

Wylie Police Department Chief Anthony Henderson stated the operation resulted in the identification and removal of hundreds of predators connected to Texas communities and reflected the ongoing cooperation between participating agencies investigating crimes against children.

Garland Police Department Chief Jeff Bryan stated the operation demonstrated the importance of coordinated investigative partnerships, digital forensic capabilities, and sustained enforcement efforts targeting online exploitation networks.

Fort Worth Police Department Executive Assistant Chief David Carabajal stated the operation coincided with National Child Abuse Prevention Month and reflected continued efforts to identify and arrest individuals exploiting children through digital environments.

Federal investigators emphasized that online child exploitation frequently begins through seemingly ordinary online communication before escalating into grooming, coercion, extortion, trafficking, or abuse. Authorities encouraged parents and guardians to actively monitor online activity, discuss internet safety with children, and report suspicious communications involving minors immediately.

Authorities also warned that offenders increasingly exploit private messaging systems, social media platforms, gaming communities, disappearing-message applications, and encrypted communication tools to conceal identities while targeting children online.

Anyone with information involving child exploitation, online solicitation, trafficking activity, or internet-based abuse involving minors is encouraged to contact local law enforcement, the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI, or submit tips through tips.fbi.gov. Reports involving online exploitation of children may also be submitted to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at cybertipline.org.

Participating agencies included:

Abilene Police Department
Allen Police Department
Andrews Police Department
Aubrey Police Department
Azle Police Department
Bartonville Police Department
Bedford Police Department
Bonham Police Department
Bowie County Sheriff’s Office
Burleson Police Department
Carrollton Police Department
Celina Police Department
Children’s Advocacy Center of Collin County
Childress County Sheriff’s Office
Cleburne Police Department
Colleyville Police Department
Collin County District Attorney’s Office
Collin County Sheriff’s Office
Commerce Police Department
Cooke County Sheriff’s Office
Crowley Police Department
Dallas Children’s Advocacy Center
Dallas Police Department
Denton County Sheriff’s Office
Department of the Army Criminal Investigation Division
DeSoto Police Department
Dublin Police Department
Duncanville Police Department
Ellis County Sheriff’s Office
Elm Ridge Police Department
Euless Police Department
Fannin County Sheriff’s Office
Farmers Branch Police Department
FBI Dallas Field Office
FBI El Paso Field Office
FBI San Antonio Field Office
Flower Mound Police Department
Fort Worth Police Department
Frisco Police Department
Garland Police Department
Grayson County Sheriff’s Office
Greenville Police Department
Gregg County Sheriff’s Office
Harrison County Sheriff’s Office
Hawk Cove Police Department
Henderson County Sheriff’s Office
Highland Park Department of Public Safety
Homeland Security Investigations
Honey Grove Police Department
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office
Irving Police Department
Johnson County Sheriff’s Office
Lamesa Police Department
Lewisville Police Department
Little Elm Police Department
Littlefield Police Department
Lone Star Police Department
Longview Police Department
Lubbock County Sheriff’s Office
Lubbock Police Department
McKinney Police Department
Mesquite Police Department
Midlothian Police Department
Northlake Police Department
Office of Inspector General – Texas Juvenile Justice Department
Olney Police Department
Palmer Police Department
Pampa Police Department
Parker County Sheriff’s Office
Plainview Police Department
Plano Police Department
Princeton Police Department
Prosper Police Department
Richardson Police Department
Rockwall County Criminal District Attorney’s Office
Rockwall Police Department
Rockwall County Sheriff’s Office
Rowlett Police Department
Royse City Police Department
Rusk County Sheriff’s Office
Seminole Police Department
Tarrant County Sheriff’s Office
Taylor County Sheriff’s Office
Texas Department of Public Safety
U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Texas
U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Texas
Valley View Police Department
White Settlement Police Department
Wilmer Police Department
Wylie Police Department

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