Look what was going on in your own back yard. If this was going on Dallas, it may have been nation wide.

Public Information Release - Operation Zeus

This morning, Collin County Sheriff Jim Skinner and the FBI Dallas Division announced the conclusion of Operation Zeus, a three-week, multi-agency investigation targeting the online sexual exploitation of children.

More than 100 investigative personnel conducted undercover operations, executed search warrants, and arrested suspects. This collaborative operation resulted in the arrest of 12 individuals, who are charged with offenses ranging from Promotion of Child Pornography to Online Solicitation of a Minor.

In addition to the arrests, investigators executed 22 search warrants throughout multiple jurisdictions in the Dallas Fort-Worth Metroplex, and located one previously unidentified child victim. Investigators are conducting forensic examinations on a number of electronic devices utilized to commit these types of offenses. Consequently, additional arrests may occur in the coming weeks.

Sheriff Skinner stated, “We will remain relentless in our commitment to protect our innocent children from sexual predators. If you are transmitting or receiving child pornographic images, or attempting to meet with a child for purposes of sex, be confident in the knowledge that we will soon enough show you the inside of the Collin County jail.”

“Operation Zeus is a culmination of outstanding law enforcement efforts to focus on this threat targeting the most innocent and vulnerable of us, our children,” said Eric K. Jackson, Special Agent-In-Charge of the FBI Dallas Division.

Operation Zeus’s task force was comprised of 20 federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies. Participants include Arlington PD, Amarillo PD, Brownfield PD, Frisco PD, Garland PD, Grand Prairie PD, Hill County Sheriff’s Office, Irving PD, Lubbock PD, McKinney PD, Mesquite PD, Plano PD, Royce City PD, the Texas Department of Public Safety, the United States Attorney’s Office (Northern and Eastern District of Texas), and Homeland Security Investigations-Lubbock Field Office.

Operation Zeus is an example of the dedication and commitment by local, state and federal law enforcement agencies working together to protect our children in North Texas. This combined effort sends a clear message that predators will be brought to justice.