After a long and detailed investigation that lasted over 10 years, law enforcement officers in Texas have arrested hundreds of people involved in a massive child exploitation network.
The operation, which took place over multiple years and required help from several state and federal agencies, has led to the rescue of more than 100 children from harmful and abusive situations.
Officials say that the sting, called “Operation Janus,” focused on identifying, tracking, and arresting those involved in child trafficking, child sexual abuse, and the online sharing of child sexual exploitation material.
Over the years, investigators built strong cases using digital evidence, witness interviews, and surveillance operations. The operation reached its peak recently, resulting in hundreds of arrests across the state.
Authorities confirmed that this mission was one of the largest child exploitation crackdowns in Texas history. They also revealed that some of the people arrested held positions of trust in the community, including school staff, caregivers, and people with access to children.
Many of the rescued children are now safe and receiving proper care, therapy, and support from child protection services. Officers said that some of the survivors had suffered for years and had never reported the abuse because they were afraid or did not know who to turn to.
Officials thanked the public for tips and online reports that helped uncover many of the criminals. They also encouraged people to continue reporting suspicious activity involving children.
The Texas Department of Public Safety, in collaboration with the FBI, local police, and other law enforcement agencies, said they will continue working on similar operations to catch more people involved in child exploitation.
They also reminded everyone that protecting children is a shared responsibility, and parents should be aware of what their children are doing online.
This major bust highlights how serious child exploitation cases have become and why long-term efforts are needed to stop such crimes.
While the arrests and rescues mark a big win, officials say the fight is far from over, and investigations are still ongoing in some parts of the state.