Justice Department announces results of Operation Iron Pursuit

BUFFALO, N.Y. - The Department of Justice today announced the results of Operation Iron Pursuit, a one-month, nationwide enforcement effort to find child victims of sex abuse and arrest child sex predators. More than 200 child victims were located and over 350 child sexual abuse offenders were arrested. All 56 FBI field offices and U.S. Attorneys, offices around the country participated in the coordinated takedown effort, including the Buffalo FBI Field Office and the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Western District of New York.

The operation commenced April 1 and ended April 30. The Administration for Children and Families recognizes April as National Child Abuse Prevention MonthLinks to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the "external link" icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link..

"This operation puts every child predator on notice: we are coming for you," said Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche. "The sexual exploitation of minors is an abomination with no place in our society. We will hunt down these offenders, hold them fully accountable under the law, and deliver justice for victims."

"Every single day this FBI is working 24/7 to break networks of child abusers all across this country," said FBI Director Kash Patel. "Last year we joined our partners delivering a record year, identifying and rescuing over 6,300 missing children, and today's announcement of Operation Iron Pursuit is just the latest success in that work - with over 200 victims located and over 350 offenders arrested. Let this be a message to criminal actors who seek to target America's children: you will be pursued, and you will be brought to justice."

"Working closely with our partners at every level of law enforcement, we will use all of the tools at our disposal to investigate and bring to justice those defendants who prey on the most vulnerable of victims, our children," stated U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo. "Let these efforts also serve as a reminder to parents to be vigilant in consistently monitoring your children's online activities."

"FBI Buffalo and our law enforcement partners work every day to identify and arrest criminals who prey on children," said Philip Tejera, Special Agent-in-Charge of the FBI's Buffalo Field Office. "Operation Iron Pursuit exemplifies the FBI's steadfast commitment: we will not stop until those who endanger children are removed from our communities and held accountable."

Two defendants were charged in the Western District of New York as part of Operation Iron Pursuit:

• CJ A. Wolf, of Lewiston, NY, was arrested and charged with enticement of a minor, and faces a maximum penalty of life in prison. According to the criminal complaint, in October 2025, Wolf began communicating with an undercover law enforcement officer via text message, after responding to an advertisement, posted online by investigators, of a purported minor female willing to meet in person to have sex. During these communications, Wolf was told to travel to a specific location where he could have sex with the purported 13-year-old girl who was advertised online. Wolf traveled to a retail parking lot and interacted with the undercover officer who was coordinating the sexual interaction between Wolf and the purported 13-year-old girl. Wolf was asked if he had the money, which he confirmed by showing he had $200 and agreeing for "a half hour." After some further conversation, Wolf was arrested.
• Kenneth Tootle, of Rochester, NY, was arrested and charged with production of child pornography, enticement of a minor, and receipt of child pornography, and faces a maximum penalty of life in prison. According to the criminal complaint, on January 18, 2026, the Rochester Police Department received a report from a mother that she found disturbing messages between her seven-year-old daughter (minor victim) and Tootle on her daughter's cell phone, including sexual photos and videos. A review of the minor victim's phone confirmed that she was communicating with Tootle and sent him images and videos of herself that constitute child pornography. Subsequently, a search warrant was executed on Tootle's cell phone. However, the complaint states that the images of child pornography sent by the minor victim to Tootle had been deleted.

This effort follows three other successful operations last year. Operation Relentless Justice, concluded in December 2025, resulted in the rescue of 205 children and arrests of 293 offenders. Operation Enduring Justice, concluded in August 2025, resulted in the rescue of 133 children and the arrests of 234 offenders. And Operation Restore Justice, concluded in May 2025, resulted in the rescue of 115 children and the arrests of 205 child sex abuse offenders.

The FBI's VSD assisted victims during Operation Iron Pursuit and provided services such as forensic interviews, referrals for medical and mental health resources, and coordination with partners. VSD's mission is to inform, support, and assist victims in navigating the aftermath of crime and the criminal justice process with dignity and resilience.

The Department partners with and oversees funding grants for the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), which receives and shares tips about possible child sexual exploitation received through its 24/7 hotline at 1-800-THE-LOST and on missingkids.orgLinks to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the "external link" icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link..

The Department urges the public to remain vigilant, and report suspected exploitation of a child through the FBI's tipline at 1-800-CALL-FBI (225-5324), tips.fbi.gov, or by calling your local FBI field office.

The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

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