Justice Department announces results of Operation Relentless Justice

FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS, Ill. - The Department of Justice announced the results of Operation Relentless Justice, a coordinated enforcement effort to identify, track, and arrest child sex predators. The nationwide crackdown resulted in over 205 child victims being located and the arrests of over 293 child sexual abuse offenders from Dec. 3-17. The coordinated effort was executed over the course of two weeks by all 56 FBI field offices, the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section in the Department's Criminal Division, and U.S. Attorneys' offices around the country.

"We will not allow evil criminals who prey on children to evade justice," said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. "Our federal agents have worked tirelessly alongside our state and local partners to track down these vile predators, and now our prosecutors will ensure they receive severe punishments to match their horrific crimes."

"Operation Relentless Justice shows no child will be forgotten and that all predators targeting the most vulnerable amongst us will be held accountable," said FBI Director Kash Patel. "This year, the FBI has led multiple nationwide surges across the U.S. to find and arrest hundreds of child predators. We will not stop until every child can live a life free of exploitation. We will utilize the strength of all our field offices and our federal, state, and local partners to protect communities across the nation from such horrific crimes."

"Sex offenders disgrace our communities, preying on the innocence of vulnerable children," said U.S. Attorney Steven D. Weinhoeft. "Through Operation Relentless Justice, the Southern District of Illinois condemns these heinous acts and stands resolute with our law enforcement partners to eradicate this evil, protect our children, and deliver unwavering justice to those offenders."

"During this operational time frame, FBI Springfield made multiple arrests in the Southern and Central District of Illinois," said FBI Springfield Special Agent in Charge, Christopher J.S. Johnson. "These operations are successful due to a combination of local and state partnerships, the relentless work of our investigative bodies, and the commitment we have to keeping our local neighborhoods safe."

The four facing charges in the Southern District of Illinois are:

• Zachary R. Jones, 38, of Johnston City, Illinois, on three counts of distribution of child pornography in Williamson County,
• Nicholas R. Emper, 43, of Sea Isle City, New Jersey, on one count of attempted solicitation of child pornography in Williamson County,
• Matthew A. Nevle, 27, of Allen, Texas, on one count of interstate travel with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct, one count of enticement of a minor and one count of sexual exploitation of a minor in St. Clair County, and
• Robert Jackowski, 31, of Granite City, Illinois, a former Marissa Police Officer, on one count of transportation of child pornography in St. Clair County.

This effort follows two other successful operations, including Operation Restore Justice in May, which resulted in the rescue of 115 children and the arrests of 205 child sex abuse offenders, including four from the Southern District of Illinois, and Operation Enduring Justice in August, which resulted in the rescue of 133 children and the arrests of 234 offenders.

The FBI's Victim Services Division assisted victims during this operation and provided services, to include 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.

These operations underscore the Department's unwavering commitment to protecting children and combating child sexual exploitation. These cases were brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. attorneys' offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, visit justice.gov/psc.

The Department partners with and oversees funding grants for the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, 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.

An indictment is merely an allegation. The defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.