Federal authorities are cracking down on child sex predators nationwide. The Department of Justice says Operation Relentless Justice led to the rescue of more than 205 children and the arrests of over 290 offenders. The two-week operation involved all 56 FBI field offices, the Department’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, and U.S. Attorneys’ offices across the country.

Attorney General Pamela Bondi said, “We will not allow evil criminals who prey on children to evade justice.” FBI Director Kash Patel added that no predator targeting children will be allowed to go free, and federal, state, and local partners will continue working together to keep communities safe.

In Illinois, FBI Springfield made multiple arrests in the Central and Southern Districts, including a Jacksonville man charged with trafficking and possessing child pornography. Other arrests across the country involved an airman, a police officer, and individuals targeting minors online, including cases of sextortion and child sex trafficking.

These results follow similar operations earlier this year, including Operation Restore Justice and Operation Enduring Justice, which together rescued hundreds of children and arrested hundreds more.

The DOJ reminds the public to report suspected child exploitation to the FBI tipline at 1-800-CALL-FBI or online at tips.fbi.gov.