The Department of Justice today announced the successful results of Operation Restore Justice, a nationwide initiative designed to identify, track, and arrest individuals involved in the sexual exploitation of children.
The five-day coordinated effort, which took place across the United States, led to the rescue of 115 children and the arrest of 205 offenders, with six individuals arrested in South Florida.
The operation, executed by all 55 FBI field offices, the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section of the Department’s Criminal Division, and U.S. Attorney’s Offices around the country, resulted in multiple high-profile arrests in the region. The arrested individuals face charges related to the possession, production, and distribution of child sexual abuse material (CSAM), as well as online enticement, and enticing minors for sexual purposes.
Key arrests in South Florida
In the Southern District of Florida, a number of significant arrests have been made:
- Benjamin Tokoma Sanders, 23, of Oakland, Florida, was charged with possession and production of CSAM on April 24. This case was investigated by FBI Miami and the Broward Sheriff’s Office.
- Tre’ Anthony Roberts, 25, of Miami, Florida, was charged with child sexual exploitation on February 27. The investigation was led by FBI Miami, FBI Jacksonville, and the Tallahassee Police Department.
- Katriel Victor Marmol, 57, of Davie, Florida, was charged with enticement of a minor on April 30. This case was investigated by FBI Miami and the Davie Police Department.
- Dariel Manresa, 34, of Pembroke Pines, Florida, was charged with possession and distribution of CSAM on April 24. This case was investigated by FBI Miami and the Pembroke Pines Police Department.
- William Neal, 44, of Tampa, Florida, was charged with possession of CSAM on April 30, with the investigation conducted by FBI Miami and FBI Tampa.
- Brian Jones, 38, of Evanston, Illinois, was charged with the distribution of CSAM on April 15. The case was investigated by FBI Miami and FBI Chicago.
These arrests are part of a larger nationwide crackdown, which targeted individuals involved in child exploitation and child sex trafficking. In other parts of the country, offenders have been arrested for crimes such as the production, distribution, and possession of CSAM, online enticement, and the transportation of minors for sex.
Operation Restore Justice was not just about arrests—it also highlighted the vital role of community efforts in combating child exploitation. Parental vigilance and community outreach programs were crucial to the success of this operation.
