MITCHELL, SD (Mitchell Now) — The U.S. Department of Justice says a nationwide enforcement effort called “Operation Relentless Justice” located more than 205 child victims and resulted in the arrests of more than 293 people accused of child sexual abuse crimes, including a case tied to South Dakota.
According to DOJ, the operation ran Dec. 3-17 and involved all 56 FBI field offices, the Justice Department’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, and U.S. attorneys’ offices nationwide.
DOJ said those arrested are accused of crimes that include the production, distribution or possession of child sexual abuse material; online enticement and transportation of minors; and child sex trafficking.
In South Dakota, DOJ identified Donovan He Crow, a resident of the Pine Ridge Reservation, as the subject of a superseding indictment filed in the District of South Dakota. DOJ alleges he is a repeat sex offender and said that if convicted on the most recent allegation listed in the release, he would face a mandatory minimum sentence of life in federal prison.
U.S. Attorney Ron Parsons said the operation showed the impact of coordinated federal, state, tribal and local law enforcement working together to protect children.
DOJ encouraged the public to report suspected child exploitation to the FBI tipline at 1-800-CALL-FBI or through tips.fbi.gov.