Miami, FL – In a significant nationwide crackdown, the Department of Justice has announced the success of Operation Restore Justice, a coordinated effort aimed at identifying and apprehending child sex predators. The operation, conducted over five days, resulted in the rescue of 115 children and the arrest of 205 offenders involved in child sexual abuse across the country.
This extensive operation was carried out by all 55 FBI field offices, the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section of the Department’s Criminal Division, and United States Attorney’s Offices nationwide. The Southern District of Florida is actively prosecuting several cases as part of this initiative:
- Benjamin Tokoma Sanders, 23, from Oakland, FL, faces charges of possession and production of child sexual abuse material (CSAM). The investigation is being conducted by FBI Miami and the Broward Sheriff’s Office.
- Tre’ Anthony Roberts, 25, from Miami, FL, has been charged with child sexual exploitation. This case is under investigation by FBI Miami, FBI Jacksonville, and the Tallahassee Police Department.
- Katriel Victor Marmol, 57, from Davie, FL, is charged with the enticement of a minor. The case is being investigated by FBI Miami and the Davie Police Department.
- Dariel Manresa, 34, from Pembroke Pines, FL, faces charges of possession and distribution of CSAM. FBI Miami and the Pembroke Pines Police Department are leading the investigation.
- William Neal, 44, from Tampa, FL, is charged with possession of CSAM, with investigations by FBI Miami and FBI Tampa.
- Brian Jones, 38, from Evanston, Illinois, is charged with distribution of CSAM, investigated by FBI Miami and FBI Chicago.
Nationwide, the operation has uncovered various offenses, including the production, distribution, and possession of CSAM, online enticement, transportation of minors, and child sex trafficking. Notably, in Minneapolis, a state trooper and Army Reservist was arrested for allegedly producing CSAM in uniform, while in Norfolk, VA, an illegal immigrant from Mexico is accused of transporting a minor across state lines for sexual purposes. In Washington, D.C., a former police officer was charged with trafficking minor victims.
Parental vigilance and community outreach have been crucial in apprehending these offenders. For instance, a California man was arrested just eight hours after a young victim courageously reported abuse to FBI agents following an online safety presentation at a school near Albany, NY.
This operation highlights the Department of Justice’s commitment to protecting children, especially during National Child Abuse Prevention Month in April. Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in 2006, continues to marshal resources to combat child exploitation and abuse. The Department collaborates with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) to share tips on child exploitation through its hotline at 1-800-THE-LOST.
The public is urged to remain vigilant and report any suspected exploitation of children through the FBI’s tipline at 1-800-CALL-FBI (225-5324), tips.fbi.gov, or by contacting a local FBI field office.
An indictment is an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
