The Department of Justice announced on May 6 the results of Operation Iron Pursuit, a nationwide effort conducted in April to identify child victims of sexual abuse and arrest offenders. The operation led to the identification of more than 200 child victims and the arrest of over 350 individuals accused of child sexual abuse offenses. Two individuals were charged in the Western District of Michigan as part of this initiative.
Operation Iron Pursuit involved all FBI field offices and U.S. Attorneys’ offices across the country. The campaign coincided with National Child Abuse Prevention Month, recognized by the Administration for Children and Families. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said, “This operation puts every child predator on notice: we are coming for you. 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.”
FBI Director Kash Patel said, “Every single day this FBI is working 24/7 to break networks of child abusers all across this country… 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.” According to officials, those arrested face charges ranging from sexual exploitation and trafficking to kidnapping and possession or distribution of child sexual abuse materials.
U.S. Attorney Timothy VerHey commented on local efforts: “You can see from this one-month snapshot that child sexual exploitation remains a major law enforcement concern for all of us, including the Western District of Michigan… we will continue to do whatever it takes to bring these offenders to justice.” In western Michigan specifically, Matthew David Coad was indicted on charges related to distribution and possession of child pornography; Christopher Patrick Owens was indicted on multiple counts including attempted coercion and enticement.
Jennifer Runyan, Special Agent in Charge at FBI Detroit Field Office said: “Our participation in Operation Iron Pursuit is another example of the work we do every day in Michigan to protect children and hold predators accountable.”
Operation Iron Pursuit follows three other national operations last year that collectively resulted in hundreds more rescues and arrests. The FBI’s Victim Services Division provided crisis support during these efforts. The Department also partners with organizations such as the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC), which operates a hotline at 1-800-THE-LOST.
The U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan prosecutes federal crimes—including those related to heroin awareness—manages civil litigation for the United States government, recovers government debts, delivers support services for crime victims, employs about 70 staff members across several offices throughout Michigan including Grand Rapids and Marquette (with unstaffed locations in Lansing and Kalamazoo), covers an area home to about 1.6 million residents among one of nation’s largest federal districts according to its official website.
