CHICAGO, IL - As Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D) continues to gaslight over so-called “low crime” in Illinois, facts on the ground seem to prove otherwise.
In a massive operation undertaken in the Chicago area by 11 federal agencies, nearly 200 people have been charged, over 300 arrested, and 24 missing children have been recovered during “Operation New Dawn,” the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Illinois announced on July 2.
In a press release, federal prosecutors said the operation coordinated among the 11 federal agencies targeted individuals suspected of offenses including murder, robbery, kidnapping, fentanyl trafficking, drug trafficking, child exploitation, and other crimes.
All told, 179 individuals were charged among 140 newly filed criminal cases, 305 fugitives were apprehended, and 24 abducted children were located and reunited with their families.
Federal agencies participating included the FBI, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and several others.
PEOPLE Magazine reported that the operation began around May 1 and was described by federal officials as the first “badgeless” initiative of its kind in the Northern District of Illinois. For people in Portland, that doesn’t mean that the agencies didn’t wear badges, but means that “multiple federal agencies came together under the banner of the United States flag as opposed to the shield of any agency,” the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.
“The success of Operation New Dawn reflects the leadership of the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the trust, commitment, and collaboration among our Chicago federal law enforcement partners," said Christopher Amon, Special Agent in Charge of the ATF Chicago Field Division.
FBI Director Kash Patel detailed the operation in an exclusive statement to Fox News Digital:
“Operation New Dawn represents a massive, whole-of-government approach under President Trump’s leadership to cracking down on violent crimes and crimes against children in great American cities,” Patel said.
“This was a sweeping operation in Chicago that brought together 11 different federal agencies across the government who worked to gether to execute 305 arrests and recover 24 children–many of whom had been reported kidnapped or missing–as well as charging subjects with robbery, kidnapping, drug trafficking, child exploitation and more.
“The success of this op and more to come through initiatives like Summer Heat 2.0 should be a clear message that this FBI, our partners, and the Justice Department led by AG Todd Blanche are full throttle on cruising criminal networks in this country no matter where they are.”
Aside from the above offenses, other suspects nabbed in the operation included those involved in gun trafficking, gun offenses, and immigration violations.
U.S. Attorney Andrew S. Boutros said the operation and the collaboration between agencies represented a new era of law enforcement in the United States.
“It is my view that to combat violence, federal law enforcement must move at the speed of violence,” Boutros said in a statement. “The remarkable success of Operation New Dawn resoundingly proves that point. Chicago’s federal anti-violence apparatus united under one banner–the United States flag and not the shield, badge, banner, or logo of any agency–to make their presence felt on the streets of Chicago and make it known that they are a force to be reckoned with in the battle against violence.”
Amon added, “Law enforcement has always been, and always will be a team sport. The success of Operation New Dawn reflects the leadership of the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the trust, commitment, and collaboration among our Chicago federal law enforcement partners. Together, we made a meaningful impact by removing shooters and other violent offenders from our streets, making Chicago safer for all.”
One individual swept up in the operation was Felipe Dejesus Gomez Ramirez, a convicted murderer and illegal alien.
The operation also resulted in the arrests of David Collins and Tyrone Thomas, believed to be members of Chicago’s Traveling Vice Lords criminal gang, who were involved in drug trafficking. Both have been federally charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute heroin and fentanyl.
“Operation New Dawn demonstrates the power of coordinated law enforcement efforts to address the interconnected threats of violent crime and drug trafficking,” said Todd C. Smith, special agent in charge of the DEA Chicago Field Division in a statement.
“Through the Homeland Security Task Force and in partnership with the U.S. Attorney’s Office, federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies combined intelligence, resources, and expertise to target individuals and criminal networks that threaten public safety. Reducing violent crime remains one of DEA’s top strategic priorities, and the significant drug seizures resulting from this operation underscore the close relationship between violence and drug trafficking activity. By working together to disrupt criminal organizations, remove dangerous drugs from our communities, and hold offenders accountable, we are enhancing public safety while advancing our commitment to a Fentanyl Free America.”
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