A sweeping two‑month child‑exploitation crackdown across Texas has led to 276 arrests and the rescue of 89 children, federal and local authorities announced this week.
Officials called Operation Soteria Shield one of the state’s largest coordinated efforts to combat online predators.
The initiative, led by FBI Dallas and dozens of Texas law enforcement agencies, ran from March to April 2026. Those arrested face charges ranging from possession, distribution, and production of child sexual abuse material to online solicitation, trafficking, and sexual assault. The 89 rescued children include previously unidentified victims.
The crackdown brought together 91 agencies and 197 personnel, including investigators, analysts, digital‑forensics specialists, prosecutors, and child‑advocacy partners.
Targeting online child exploitation
Operation Soteria Shield focused on identifying people who target children across social media, messaging apps, and other online platforms. Investigators pursued suspects accused of creating, sharing, or possessing child sexual abuse material, soliciting minors online, trafficking children, committing sexual assault, and other forms of exploitation.
Officials said the cases remain active and additional charges are likely as forensic reviews continue. The effort was announced by the FBI Dallas’ North Texas Child Exploitation Task Force and the North Texas Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.
Leaders stress trauma and teamwork
Leaders from the FBI and the police departments of Dallas, Plano, Wylie, Garland, and Fort Worth emphasized the importance of interagency cooperation and the lasting trauma these crimes inflict on victims.
“This would not have been successful without the resolve of each participating agency,” said FBI Dallas Special Agent in Charge R. Joseph Rothrock.
“These are not victimless crimes,” Dallas Police Chief Daniel C. Comeaux said. “They leave lasting trauma on children and families. I am incredibly proud of the work of our investigators and every agency partner who helped make this operation successful.”
“Every child deserves to grow up safe, protected, and free from exploitation,” Plano Police Chief Ed Drain said. “This operation reflects our shared commitment to defend children wherever abuse occurs, whether that is in a home, on a device or through an online platform. The work done by these investigators has changed lives.”
Full list of participating agencies
Participating agencies included:
Abilene Police DepartmentAllen Police DepartmentAndrews Police DepartmentAubrey Police DepartmentAzle Police DepartmentBartonville Police DepartmentBedford Police DepartmentBonham Police DepartmentBowie County Sheriff’s OfficeBurleson Police DepartmentCarrollton Police DepartmentCelina Police DepartmentChildren’s Advocacy Center of Collin CountyChildress County Sheriff’s OfficeCleburne Police DepartmentColleyville Police DepartmentCollin County District Attorney’s OfficeCollin County Sheriff’s OfficeCommerce Police DepartmentCooke County Sheriff’s OfficeCrowley Police DepartmentDallas Children’s Advocacy CenterDallas Police DepartmentDenton County Sheriff’s OfficeDepartment of the Army Criminal Investigation DivisionDeSoto Police DepartmentDublin Police DepartmentDuncanville Police DepartmentEllis County Sheriff’s OfficeElm Ridge Police DepartmentEuless Police DepartmentFannin County Sheriff’s OfficeFarmers Branch Police DepartmentFBI Dallas Field OfficeFBI El Paso Field OfficeFBI San Antonio Field OfficeFlower Mound Police DepartmentFort Worth Police DepartmentFrisco Police DepartmentGarland Police DepartmentGrayson County Sheriff’s OfficeGreenville Police DepartmentGregg County Sheriff’s OfficeHarrison County Sheriff’s OfficeHawk Cove Police DepartmentHenderson County Sheriff’s OfficeHighland Park Department of Public SafetyHomeland Security InvestigationsHoney Grove Police DepartmentHopkins County Sheriff’s OfficeIrving Police DepartmentJohnson County Sheriff’s OfficeLamesa Police DepartmentLewisville Police DepartmentLittle Elm Police DepartmentLittlefield Police DepartmentLone Star Police DepartmentLongview Police DepartmentLubbock County Sheriff’s OfficeLubbock Police DepartmentMcKinney Police DepartmentMesquite Police DepartmentMidlothian Police DepartmentNorthlake Police DepartmentOffice of Inspector General – Texas Juvenile Justice DepartmentOlney Police DepartmentPalmer Police DepartmentPampa Police DepartmentParker County Sheriff’s OfficePlainview Police DepartmentPlano Police DepartmentPrinceton Police DepartmentProsper Police DepartmentRichardson Police DepartmentRockwall County Criminal District Attorney’s OfficeRockwall Police DepartmentRockwall County Sheriff’s OfficeRowlett Police DepartmentRoyse City Police DepartmentRusk County Sheriff’s OfficeSeminole Police DepartmentTarrant County Sheriff’s OfficeTaylor County Sheriff’s OfficeTexas Department of Public SafetyU.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of TexasU.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of TexasValley View Police DepartmentWhite Settlement Police DepartmentWilmer Police DepartmentWylie Police DepartmentHow to report suspected exploitation
Anyone with information is encouraged to contact 1‑800‑CALL‑FBI, submit a tip at tips.fbi.gov or report to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children’s CyberTipline.
CBS News Texas will provide updates as more information becomes available.