The FBI's Operation Iron Pursuit resulted in more than 350 arrests and the location of over 200 child victims, mobilizing all 56 field offices and multiple U.S. Attorneys' offices. Notable cases include a 10-year-old allegedly taken abroad by a parent and partner who were charged with international parental kidnapping, and the conviction of a man who created AI-generated sexual images under the Take It Down Act. Officials said the operation builds on prior nationwide efforts to rescue children and prosecute offenders.
FBI’s Operation Iron Pursuit: 350+ Arrests and 200+ Child Victims Located in Nationwide Sweep
FBI nabs more than 350 alleged child sex abuse offenders
The FBI announced that a nationwide operation called Operation Iron Pursuit led to the arrest of more than 350 individuals accused of crimes involving child sexual abuse and the location of over 200 child victims. The sweep mobilized all 56 FBI field offices and numerous U.S. Attorneys' offices across the United States.
FBI Director Kash Patel speaks alongside acting Attorney General Todd Blanche during a press conference at the Justice Department in Washington, D.C., on April 28, 2026.(Reuters)
Scope and Allegations
According to the bureau, suspects arrested in the operation face allegations including sexual exploitation, sex trafficking, child abuse, kidnapping, and the possession, distribution, or receipt of child sexual abuse materials (CSAM).
First lady Melania Trump speaks as President Donald Trump listens during the signing of the "Take It Down Act" in the White House Rose Garden in Washington on May 19, 2025.
Notable Cases
One recovered victim was a 10-year-old from Utah who, the FBI says, was taken out of the country by a parent and that parent’s partner. Investigators allege the parent, identified as Rose Inessa-Ethington, flew the child—without the mother’s knowledge—from Canada to Mexico and on to Cuba with a partner named Blue Inessa-Ethington. Family members expressed concerns about the child’s welfare; FBI agents later reunited the child with his mother. The two adults were arrested and charged with international parental kidnapping.
FBI Director Kash Patel said the bureau will produce a report "in short order" after reviewing multiple state-level investigations at the White House’s request to determine whether any are connected.
In another high-profile case tied to the broader effort, James Strahler II, 37, pleaded guilty in April to charges related to creating AI-generated explicit images involving adults and children and to cyberstalking. Prosecutors say Strahler used more than 100 web-based AI models and fabricated more than 700 images, some derived from real victims, and uploaded them to a site dedicated to CSAM. He is reported to be the first person in the U.S. convicted under the Take It Down Act, legislation criminalizing the non-consensual sharing of intimate images and deepfake content.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche criticizes reporters during a press conference on April 21, 2026.
The sweep also included allegations against Alber Rodriguez, 48, of New York, who is accused of sexually abusing a 12-year-old boy and recording the abuse, and Anthony Greene, 37, of Pennsylvania, who faces a multi-count indictment alleging manufacture and possession of child pornography, interstate enticement and related charges, as well as firearm charges.
Officials' Statements
'Operation Iron Pursuit is just the latest in this FBI’s work with our interagency partners to crush child abuse networks all over this country,' Director Kash Patel said, describing the coordinated effort across offices.
'This operation puts every child predator on notice: we are coming for you,' Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said, adding that prosecutors will seek to hold offenders accountable and deliver justice for victims.
Context and Prior Operations
The FBI said Iron Pursuit follows several large operations last year that collectively rescued hundreds of children and resulted in hundreds of arrests. Reported outcomes included Operation Relentless Justice (205 children rescued, 293 arrests), Operation Enduring Justice (133 children rescued, 234 arrests), and Operation Restore Justice (115 children rescued, 205 arrests).
The FBI emphasized that interagency, nationwide coordination remains central to identifying victims, dismantling networks, and prosecuting offenders who exploit and traffic children.
Note: All charges and allegations are as reported by authorities; defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.
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