Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime Alerts (b)
May 7, 2025 – Today, the Department of Justice announced the results of Operation Restore Justice, a coordinated enforcement effort to identify, track and arrest child sex predators. The operation resulted in the rescue of 115 children and the arrests of 205 child sexual abuse offenders in the nationwide crackdown. The coordinated effort was executed over the course of five days by all 55 FBI field offices, the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section in the Department’s Criminal Division, and United States Attorney’s Offices around the country.
“The Department of Justice will never stop fighting to protect victims — especially child victims — and we will not rest until we hunt down, arrest, and prosecute every child predator who preys on the most vulnerable among us,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “I am grateful to the FBI and their state and local partners for their incredible work in Operation Restore Justice and have directed my prosecutors not to negotiate.”
“Every child deserves to grow up free from fear and exploitation, and the FBI will continue to be relentless in our pursuit of those who exploit the most vulnerable among us,” said FBI Director Kash Patel. “Operation Restore Justice proves that no predator is out of reach and no child will be forgotten. By leveraging the strength of all our field offices and our federal, state and local partners, we’re sending a clear message: there is no place to hide for those who prey on children.”
Acting U.S. Attorney Andrew Birge advised that “With this operation, we are amplifying the message that the Department is fully committed to securing justice for the most innocent of victims: children in our communities.”
“Operation Restore Justice highlights the importance of collaboration among federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies,” said Cheyvoryea Gibson, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Detroit Field Office. “The members of the FBI Grand Rapids WEBCHEX Task Force and the Lansing Resident Agency appreciate the vital support from our partners, including the Michigan State Police, Kent County Sheriff’s Office, Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office, Newaygo County Sheriff’s Office, Norton Shores Police Department, Grand Rapids Police Department, Lansing Police Department, and the Muskegon County Prosecutor’s Office. This coordinated effort led to numerous arrests across western Michigan and in Arkansas and Tennessee, with crucial assistance from the FBI Little Rock (Texarkana Resident Agency) and Nashville (Knoxville Resident Agency) Field Offices. Operation Restore Justice demonstrates our shared commitment to public safety in Michigan and throughout the United States.”
In the Western District of Michigan, seven individuals were arrested and charged with federal crimes: Christian Vanderveen, of Comstock Park; Paul Masko, of Grand Haven; Terry Hopkins, of Muskegon Heights; Martell Scott-Ware, of Grand Rapids; Shauntelle Blackmon, of Arkadelphia, Arkansas; Joesph Brandon, of Knoxville, Tennessee; and George Edward Lebaron, of Egelston Township.
* Christian Vanderveen, 24, of Comstock Park, was charged by Complaint with Sexual Exploitation of a Child. According to court documents, Vanderveen repeatedly requested sexually explicit images from a minor who was under the age of thirteen. Evidence obtained from his cell phone revealed the sexually explicit media, as well as Vanderveen’s requests. In an interview with law enforcement, Vanderveen admitted to this conduct.
If convicted, Vanderveen faces a mandatory minimum penalty of 15 years in prison, and a maximum penalty of 30 years.
This case was investigated by the Michigan State Police and FBI.
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* Paul Masko, of Grand Haven, was indicted for three counts of Sexual Exploitation of a Child. Each charge is punishable by a minimum of 15 years, and a maximum of 30 years, in prison.
Masko was a teacher at a public school in Muskegon County. The indictment alleges that Masko gave his phone to a minor victim and directed the minor to take pictures of explicit images of the minor on the minor’s cell phone.
This case was investigated by the Muskegon County Sheriff’s Department, the Grand Haven Department of Public Safety, and the FBI.
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* Terry Hopkins, of Muskegon Heights, was indicted for possession of child pornography.
Hopkins was previously convicted of possession of child sexually abusive material on two occasions and criminal sexual conduct with a minor. As a result, he is subject to an enhanced sentence if convicted – a minimum of 10 years and a maximum of 20 years in prison.
This case was investigated by the Michigan State Police, Michigan Department of Corrections, and the FBI.
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* Martell Scott-Ware, 29, of Grand Rapids and Shauntelle Blackmon, 23, of Arkadelphia, Arkansas, were indicted on criminal charges related to alleged sexual exploitation of a child. The grand jury also returned a separate charge accusing Blackmon alone of sex trafficking of a child.
According to court documents, Scott-Ware and Blackmon are charged with persuading a minor female under the age of 16 to engage in sexual activity, which Scott-Ware and Blackmon then recorded. Blackmon also allegedly recruited and offered the same minor for commercial sexual activity, both in the Western District of Michigan and in Arkansas.
If convicted, Scott-Ware and Blackmon each face a mandatory minimum penalty of 15 years in prison on their charge of sexual exploitation of a child. Blackmon faces a separate mandatory minimum of 10 years and up to life in prison on the sex trafficking charge.
The Michigan State Police and FBI investigated this case.
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* Joseph Brandon, of Knoxville, Tennessee, was arrested by criminal complaint on charges related to the sexual exploitation of a child. According to court documents, Brandon formed an agreement with a man in Michigan to use social media accounts to produce and trade child pornography.
If convicted, Brandon faces a mandatory minimum penalty of 15 years in prison, and a maximum penalty of 30 years.
This FBI investigated this case
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* George Edward Lebaron, of Egelston Township, was arrested by criminal complaint on charges related to alleged coercion and enticement of a minor, receipt of child pornography, and possession of child pornography.
According to court documents, Lebaron is charged with establishing an online relationship with a 14-year-old girl and coercing and inducing her to send him naked pictures of herself. Lebaron asked another minor girl to also send him naked pictures. Lebaron was previously convicted in 2003 of criminal sexual conduct in the second degree for a victim under 13 years old.
If convicted, Lebaron faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years and up to life in prison if convicted of coercion and enticement. If convicted of receipt of child pornography, he faces a mandatory minimum of 15 years and a maximum of 40 years in prison. If convicted of possession of child pornography, Lebaron faces a mandatory minimum of 10 year and a maximum of 20 years in prison.
The FBI is investigating this case.
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Others arrested around the country are alleged to have committed various crimes including the production, distribution, and possession of child sexual abuse material, online enticement and transportation of minors, and child sex trafficking. In Minneapolis, for example, a state trooper and Army Reservist was arrested for allegedly producing child sexual abuse material while wearing his uniforms. In Norfolk, VA, an illegal alien from Mexico is accused of transporting a minor across state lines for sex. In Washington, D.C., a former Metropolitan Police Department Police Officer was arrested for allegedly trafficking minor victims.
In many cases, parental vigilance and community outreach efforts played a critical role in bringing these offenders to justice. For example, a California man was arrested about eight hours after a young victim bravely came forward and disclosed their abuse to FBI agents after an online safety presentation at a school near Albany, N.Y.
This effort follows the Department’s observance of National Child Abuse Prevention Month in April, and underscores the Department’s unwavering commitment to protecting children and raising awareness about the dangers they face. While the Department, including the FBI, investigates and prosecutes these crimes every day, April serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of preventing these crimes, seeking justice for victims, and raising awareness through community education.
The Justice Department is committed to combating child sexual exploitation. These cases were brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, visit www.justice.gov/psc.
The Department partners with and oversees funding grants for the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), which receives and shares tips about possible child sexual exploitation received through its 24/7 hotline at 1-800-THE-LOST and on missingkids.org.
The Department urges the public to remain vigilant and report suspected exploitation of a child through the FBI’s tipline at 1-800-CALL-FBI (225-5324), tips.fbi.gov, or by calling your local FBI field office.
Other online resources:
Electronic Press Kit
Violent Crimes Against Children
How we can help you: Parents and caregivers protecting your kids
A complaint and an indictment are merely an allegation. The defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.