The Ellis County Sheriff’s Department took part in the FBI’s Dallas’ North Texas Child Exploitation Task Force and the North Texas Internet Crimes Against Children’s Task Force Operation Soteria Shield.
This was a coordinated law enforcement effort focused on rescuing children from online sexual exploitation.
It was managed by the Dallas FBI Division, and the Dallas, Garland, Wylie and Plano Police Departments.
It was conducted during the months of March and April and there were 276 child exploitation arrests and the rescue of 89 children.
Results are attributed to 91 law enforcement agencies and 197 law enforcement personnel across multiple jurisdictions in the state of Texas including the Ellis County Sheriff’s Department investigators.
“I am proud of the Ellis County Sheriff’s Office investigators who participated in Operation Soteria Shield alongside our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners,” Ellis County Sheriff Brad Norman said.
“Protecting children from online predators remains a top priority, and we will continue to aggressively pursue those who exploit and victimize children.”
Operation Soteria Shield stresses the importance of continued reporting by parents, guardians, schools, community members and technology companies.
Online child exploitation often begins with ordinary digital contact, and early reporting is critical in stopping abuse and identifying victims according to a media release from the Dallas Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.