A Lewiston and Rochester man are among hundreds of individuals arrested nationwide during a sweeping FBI operation targeting alleged child sexual predators and online exploitation offenders.
Federal authorities announced Friday that the arrests were part of “Operation Iron Pursuit,” a month-long nationwide initiative led by the U.S. Department of Justice that resulted in more than 350 arrests across the country and the recovery of over 200 child victims.
Officials identified C.J. Wolf of Lewiston and Kenneth Tootle of Rochester among those charged during the operation.
According to prosecutors, Wolf was arrested following an undercover investigation involving law enforcement officers posing online as a 13-year-old girl.
Federal authorities allege Wolf agreed to pay for sex during conversations with the undercover officer and later arrived with cash in hand.
“Wolf was asked if he had the money, which he confirmed by showing he had $200 and agreeing for ‘a half hour,'” said U.S. Attorney’s Office said. “After some further conversation, Wolf was arrested.”
Wolf now faces a federal charge of enticement of a minor. The crime carries the possibility of life in prison if he is convicted.
Federal investigators said the case involving Tootle began after the mother of a 7-year-old girl reportedly discovered disturbing communications between her daughter and the Rochester man on the child’s cellphone.
Authorities subsequently launched an investigation that led to multiple federal charges.
Tootle is accused of production of child pornography, enticement of a minor and receipt of child pornography. He also faces the possibility of spending the remainder of his life in prison if convicted.
The arrests were part of what federal officials described as a coordinated nationwide initiative involving federal, state and local law enforcement agencies working together to identify online predators, rescue exploited children and disrupt networks involved in child sexual abuse crimes.
Operation Iron Pursuit spanned multiple states and targeted suspects accused of using online platforms, messaging services and social media applications to exploit or communicate with minors.
Federal authorities said the operation also focused heavily on victim recovery efforts with more than 200 children identified and removed from potentially dangerous situations during the crackdown.
The FBI’s Buffalo Field Office said the arrests underscore ongoing efforts by federal investigators to aggressively pursue crimes involving child exploitation and internet-facilitated abuse.
“Working closely with our partners at every level of law enforcement, we will use all of the tools at our disposal to investigate and bring to justice those defendants who prey on the most vulnerable of victims, our children,” said U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo in a statement.
DiGiacomo also urged parents to remain proactive about monitoring their children’s internet usage and online activity.
“Let these efforts also serve as a reminder to parents to be vigilant in consistently monitoring your children’s online activities.”
Federal officials have increasingly warned that online exploitation investigations continue to rise nationwide, particularly as children spend more time using phones, gaming systems, messaging platforms and social media applications.
Law enforcement agencies say many investigations now begin after parents discover suspicious online conversations, inappropriate messages or hidden accounts on devices used by children.
Authorities have also repeatedly emphasized that offenders frequently attempt to exploit minors by posing as teenagers online or by gradually building trust through digital communication before attempting to arrange meetings or solicit explicit material.
