Operation Iron Pursuit: FBI Cracks Down on Child Predators in Michigan

 

By Brett Fletcher

The fight to protect our most vulnerable continues as the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) announce the details of Operation Iron Pursuit. This large-scale initiative, focused heavily on the state of Michigan, is the latest in an aggressive, ongoing effort to rescue children and hold severe offenders accountable to the fullest extent of the law.

Stiff Penalties for Predators

The DOJ is making it clear that crimes against children carry severe, life-altering consequences. Under federal guidelines, offenders swept up in these operations face steep mandatory sentences:

Exploitation: Carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years and a maximum of 30 years in federal prison.

Attempted Coercion and Enticement: Carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and up to life in federal prison.

Local Agencies Leading the Charge

The success of Operation Iron Pursuit heavily relied on the dedication of local FBI divisions across Michigan.

“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,” said Jennifer Runyan, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Detroit Field Office. “I am grateful for the dedicated efforts of our FBI Bay City, Flint, and Grand Rapids Resident Agencies, alongside the FBI Detroit Violent Crimes Against Children Task Force, whose work continues to safeguard our communities and protect children from those who seek to harm them.”

A Record Year for Child Rescue Operations

Operation Iron Pursuit builds upon the staggering momentum generated by the FBI and DOJ throughout the previous year. Three major operations concluded in 2025, resulting in the rescue of hundreds of children worldwide:

Operation Relentless Justice (Concluded Dec. 2025): Rescued 205 children and resulted in 293 arrests.

Operation Enduring Justice (Concluded Aug. 2025): Rescued 133 children and resulted in 234 arrests.

Operation Restore Justice (Concluded May 2025): Rescued 115 children and resulted in 205 arrests.

Supporting the Survivors

Arresting predators is only half the battle; the other half is supporting the survivors. During Operation Iron Pursuit, the FBI’s Victim Services Division (VSD) stepped in to assist rescued victims.

The VSD provided critical services, including forensic interviews, specialized referrals for medical and mental health resources, and overarching coordination with local partners. The core mission of the VSD is to inform, support, and assist victims in navigating the aftermath of crime and the complex criminal justice process with dignity and resilience.

How You Can Help: Report Suspected Abuse

The DOJ partners with and funds the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC). If you have any information or tips regarding the possible sexual exploitation of a child, you can report it to NCMEC's 24/7 hotline at 1-800-THE-LOST or online at missingkids.org.

The Department urges the public to remain vigilant. You can also report suspected child exploitation directly to the FBI through the following channels:

Phone: 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324)

Online: tips.fbi.gov

Local: Contact your local FBI field office

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

Caught in the Algorithm: When Child Advocacy Triggers Social Media Suspensions

 

By Brett Fletcher 

​The digital frontlines of child protection are complex, constantly shifting, and heavily guarded—as they should be. Social media platforms carry a massive responsibility to police their networks for predatory behavior and illegal content. To do this at scale, they rely heavily on automated algorithms and aggressive safety protocols.

​Usually, this is a good thing. We want platforms to err on the side of caution when it comes to the safety of the vulnerable. But recently, we experienced firsthand what happens when those automated safety nets cast a little too wide of a net.

​Without warning, our X (formerly Twitter) account was suspended.

​For an organization dedicated to finding missing children and providing advocacy for exploited children, suddenly losing access to a primary communication channel is jarring. Information moves at lightning speed in our line of work. A delay in sharing a missing child flyer or an update on an international law enforcement operation can feel agonizing.

​After an appeal, the account was restored—though we are currently navigating the standard 48-hour waiting period for full functionality to return.

​This brief digital exile highlighted a unique paradox that legitimate child advocates face online. The algorithms designed to flag malicious actors are often triggered by the very terminology we use to fight them. When we discuss the realities of exploitation, share updates on law enforcement stings, or use specific keywords to educate the public, we inadvertently trip the wire.

​We become "friendly fire" in the algorithmic war against exploitation.

​Is it frustrating? Absolutely. But looking at the bigger picture, it is a side effect of a system that is trying—however imperfectly—to do the right thing. If an overly sensitive algorithm occasionally inconveniences an advocate but successfully blocks a predator, that is a trade-off we can survive.

​The heart of Trinity Mount Ministries has never been a single social media account. The true impact

 of this work relies entirely on our incredible community of online supporters. You are the ones who share the alerts, read the updates, and keep the awareness alive, even when the algorithms get confused.

​We will be back to full digital strength shortly. Until then, the work doesn't stop. The mission remains, the advocacy continues, and our community stands strong—algorithm or no algorithm.

Thank you for continuing to support Trinity Mount Ministries. We truly appreciate it.

Brett Fletcher - Founder of Trinity Mount Ministries 

Law Enforcement Breakthroughs: Recent Child Rescue Missions (Spring 2026)

By Brett Fletcher 

​At Trinity Mount Ministries, our focus remains steadfast: helping to find missing children and providing advocacy for exploited children. This mission is a massive undertaking, and the impact we make is only possible because of the continued dedication and vigilance of our community of online supporters. By staying informed, we can continue to raise awareness and support the heroes on the front lines.

​Recently, there have been several significant international and domestic task force milestones in the fight against child exploitation. Here is a summary of the most recent rescue operations and task force breakthroughs as of Spring 2026:

​1. Europol’s Victim Identification Taskforce (VIDTF) (April 13–24, 2026)

​In mid-April, 34 specialists in victim identification from Europol, INTERPOL, and 31 countries gathered at Europol’s headquarters in The Hague. The objective of this massive collaborative effort was to triage and process large datasets to identify victims and perpetrators of child sexual exploitation.

• ​The Result: The operation generated 204 actionable intelligence leads that have been forwarded to national authorities. Crucially, 12 child victims were tentatively identified.
• ​Agency Reference: Europol Press Release

​2. Make D.C. Safe & Beautiful Task Force (Updated May 1, 2026)

​Operating with the support of the U.S. Marshals Service and local law enforcement in the Washington, D.C. area, this massive multi-agency surge operation has focused heavily on arresting violent criminals, clearing warrants, and locating missing children.

• ​The Result: As of the latest official updates in late April and early May 2026, the task force has successfully located or recovered 22 missing children since the start of the operation.
• ​Agency Reference: U.S. Marshals Service News Release

​3. Operation Safe Return (March 2026)

​Led by the U.S. Marshals Service Central District of California, in partnership with the Riverside County Sheriff’s Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force (RCAHT) and various local and federal agencies (including the FBI, Homeland Security, and the Secret Service), this week-long operation focused on recovering critically missing youth entered into the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) database.

• ​The Result: Out of over 50 children identified as missing across Southern California, 37 teenagers were safely located or rescued. The recovered children received immediate victim advocacy services, medical support, and resources for family reunification.
• ​Agency Reference: U.S. Marshals Service Press Release

​Together, we can continue to shine a light on these critical operations. Please share this information to keep our network informed and vigilant.

​

Unyielding Dedication: An In-Depth Look at the Association for the Recovery of Children (ARC)

 

By Brett Fletcher

As our community of online supporters knows, the heartbeat of Trinity Mount Ministries is our shared mission: finding missing children and providing advocacy for exploited children. We rely on the vigilance, dedication, and shared awareness of this entire community to make a lasting impact. Today, we are shining a light on an organization that exemplifies the relentless pursuit of child safety: the Association for the Recovery of Children (ARC).

Who is ARC?

Founded in 1993, the Association for the Recovery of Children is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization comprised of former and active intelligence officers (including the CIA), military special operators, and law enforcement personnel. Their mandate is clear and uncompromising: to rescue missing, abducted, and trafficked American children being held both within the United States and overseas.

ARC operates with a profound commitment to custodial parents and guardians, offering their comprehensive child recovery programs at absolutely no cost to the families. Their driving motto is a powerful reflection of true advocacy: "We don't come home without the child."

The Operational Edge: Expertise and Discretion

What sets ARC apart is their capability to intervene when families have exhausted traditional resources through local, state, federal, and international law enforcement. Leveraging specialized intelligence-gathering programs, ARC's Directorate of Operations—led by experts with extensive field experience—conducts meticulous research and executes direct rescue operations.

Crucially, ARC intentionally avoids publicizing the intricate details of most of their rescue missions. This discretion is maintained to protect the privacy, safety, and long-term mental health of the survivors and their families. Allowing a rescued child to re-establish a normal life without their trauma becoming a permanent public spectacle is a priority that aligns perfectly with trauma-informed care.

Equipping the Front Lines

ARC’s impact extends far beyond their direct operational rescues. They are multiplying the force against child exploitation through their Comprehensive Equipping Course. This rigorous, 50+ hour training program is designed for individuals, NGOs, and law enforcement entities pursuing direct, operational impact against sex trafficking.

The course covers everything from understanding the criminal enterprise of trafficking rings to counter-surveillance, safe house establishment, and victim intervention. According to their reports, ARC has trained over 1,000 anti-trafficking activists. Notably, alumni of these courses have gone on to successfully rescue at least 85 trafficking victims, and graduates have launched numerous new anti-trafficking organizations and local task forces.

Post-Rescue Restoration

Rescue is only the first step. ARC recognizes that the journey to healing requires a dedicated team approach. They collaborate with professionals in mental health, medicine, and emergency shelter providers to offer long-term support. Their approach includes specialized trauma-focused restorative protocols that aim to alleviate the heavy burdens of PTSD, fear, and anxiety that survivors carry.

Why Organizations Like ARC Matter to Us

At Trinity Mount Ministries, we understand that the battle against child exploitation requires an interconnected network of dedicated professionals and a highly engaged public. ARC represents the tip of the spear in physical recovery operations. By amplifying their work, our community not only raises awareness but also provides crucial information to families who might feel they are out of options. Together, we continue to stand as fierce advocates for the vulnerable.

References & Links of Interest

ARC Official Website: recoveryofchildren.org - The central hub for information regarding ARC's mission, personnel, and operational history.

ARC Equipping Courses: ARC Training & Certification - Details on their rigorous training programs for anti-trafficking activists and law enforcement looking to gain direct-action skills.

ARC Mission Exhibit: Past Rescues - A curated look at some of the publicly available rescue operations, including international extractions from Cambodia, the Philippines, and South Korea.

Charity Navigator & GuideStar: For transparency and operational verification, ARC is listed as a recognized tax-exempt entity (EIN: 68-0650925). Information can be verified via GuideStar's ARC Profile.

EUROPOL - Protecting the Vulnerable

 

By ​Brett Fletcher - Founder of Trinity Mount Ministries

Europol and Partners Safeguard Children: Recent Operations Mark Significant Progress in Tracking and Identification

​In recent weeks, Europol, working alongside international partners, has executed two critical operations dedicated to protecting children from exploitation and forced transfer. These distinct efforts underscore the unwavering commitment of law enforcement agencies globally to safeguard the most vulnerable members of society.

​Both operations utilized sophisticated intelligence gathering, cross-border cooperation, and specialized task forces to achieve tangible results. Here is an overview of these recent successes.

​Operation 1: Tracking Forcibly Transferred Ukrainian Children

​The Hague, The Netherlands – A major breakthrough was achieved in the ongoing effort to locate Ukrainian children forcibly transferred during the conflict. Europol, coordinating with investigators from 18 countries and several key partners, successfully tracked down 45 children.

​This intensive operation was centered around a coordinated Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT) effort. Over 40 investigators convened at Europol's headquarters in The Hague, pooling expertise and digital tools to analyze vast datasets and online footprints.

​The operation utilized OSINT techniques to cross-reference data, analyze digital imagery, and follow leads. The findings are crucial for establishing the location and circumstances of these children, supporting broader international efforts to ensure their safety and potential reunion with their families.

​This collaborative success demonstrates how specialized digital intelligence, when shared and analyzed across borders, can address some of the most complex challenges arising from geopolitical conflict.

​Operation 2: Dismantling Child Sexual Exploitation Networks

​In a separate, but parallel commitment, Europol’s Victim Identification Taskforce completed a highly successful action targeting online child sexual exploitation. This operation generated over 200 leads, which have been forwarded to national authorities for immediate investigation.

​The specialized task force focused on analyzing child sexual abuse material (CSAM) to identify and locate victims. Leveraging advanced forensic technology and victim identification protocols, investigators successfully identified 12 children who were previously unknown to authorities.

​Identifying these victims is the essential first step toward rescuing them from abusive situations and providing them with the support and protection they desperately need. The volume of leads generated by this action will fuel numerous national investigations, dismantling exploitation networks and preventing further harm.

​This operation reinforces that victim identification is a paramount priority for Europol, moving beyond detection to actively rescue children trapped in exploitation.

Visualizing the Effort:

(The image below captures the collaborative energy within Europol's The Hague headquarters, showing investigators from 18 nations coordinating the massive OSINT effort to track the transferred children.)

(Following the coordination phase shown above, this second image takes a closer look at the specialized analysis cell within Europol, where forensic investigators work tirelessly on victim identification, resulting in 200 leads to save children.)

A Unified Stance: Protecting the Future

​These two operations represent complementary facets of Europol’s core mission: ensuring a safer Europe for all, especially its children. Whether addressing the immediate crisis of forced transfer or the insidious threat of sexual exploitation, the power of international collaboration is clear.

​By pooling resources, expertise, and intelligence, law enforcement agencies worldwide send a definitive message: crimes against children will be pursued with relentless coordination and the best available tools.

​Europol remains dedicated to supporting its partners, developing specialized capabilities, and leading the fight to protect the children who need it most.

​Contact Information and Related Links

​For further information regarding these operations or the work of Europol and its partners, please consult the following resources:

​Agencies Involved:

• ​Europol (European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation)
• ​National law enforcement authorities from 18 participating countries (specific agencies are generally not disclosed for operational security)

​Press/Contact Information:

• ​Europol Corporate Communications:
  • ​Email: press@europol.europa.eu
  • ​Phone: +31 70 302 50 00

​Related Links and Resources:

• ​Europol Website: https://www.europol.europa.eu
• ​Europol: Child Sexual Exploitation Topic Page: https://www.europol.europa.eu/crime-areas-and-statistics/crime-areas/child-sexual-exploitation
• ​Europol press release (Operation 1): LINK 1
• ​Europol press release (Operation 2): LINK 2

​For information regarding specific national investigations, please contact the relevant national law enforcement agency.

Trinity Mount Ministries - NCMEC - AMBER Alerts - Active Missing Children Posters - UPDATE - 05/01/2026

Help Find Missing Children. Let's Put An End To Child Abuse And Exploitation... Care.

Active Missing Children Posters Below.

Active AMBER Alerts

Name	Missing From	Issued For	Alert Date
Allen Fischer	Monteview, ID	ID	Jun 23, 2025
Rachelle Fischer	Monteview, ID	ID	Jun 23, 2025

			Active AMBER Alert cases will remain on this page updated to 6 months from activation.  Following that, active missing child posters can be found by using the search tool here. Notice: The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children® certifies the posters on this site only if they contain the NCMEC logo and the 1-800-THE-LOST® (1-800-843-5678) number. All other posters are the responsibility of the agency whose logo appears on the poster.