In a sweeping nationwide effort to combat child sexual exploitation, the U.S. Department of Justice has announced the results of Operation Restore Justice, a multi-agency crackdown that led to the rescue of 115 children and the arrest of 205 alleged child sex offenders.
Twelve of those arrests were made in the Northern District of Texas, with suspects taken into custody in cities including Benbrook, Fort Worth, Dallas, Rockwall, Lamesa, and Azle. Among them was Benbrook resident Robert Rayel.
The operation targeted individuals accused of crimes ranging from the production and distribution of child sexual abuse material to online enticement and sex trafficking of minors. Officials say the arrests and rescues reflect the DOJ’s ongoing commitment to eradicating crimes against children by uniting federal, state, and local law enforcement resources.
Operation Restore Justice was part of the DOJ’s Project Safe Childhood initiative, originally launched in 2006 to combat technology-facilitated child exploitation.
Authorities emphasized that while this operation marks major progress, efforts to track down and prosecute offenders will continue with urgency. Full case details and updates are available through the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Texas.
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