115 children rescued nationwide, FBI Albany among top 5 for arrests

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) – FBI Albany announced the results of a major nationwide operation. 115 children were rescued nationwide in Operation Restore Justice. 205 offenders were arrested, including eight men who were arrested in the Northern District of New York.

The FBI’s Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force coordinated with other law enforcement agencies, across jurisdictions, to make those arrests.

“In one week, we arrested eight predators. One of those predators, Steven Campbell, was in Scotland. Another, Devin Ravine, was in California,” said Special Agent in Charge Craig Tremaroli.

Arrested:

-Jerry Butler, 19, Walton, N.Y.

-Steven Campbell, 27, United Kingdom

-Max Fishkind, 24, New Paltz, N.Y. 

-Kenneth House, 59, Pine Planes, N.Y.

-Terry Mead Jr., 49, Watervliet, N.Y. 

-Devin Ravine, 20, Riverside, C.A. 

-Bryan Silva, 32, Schenectady, N.Y.

-Gary Yorkshire, 68, Scotia, N.Y.

Tremaroli said FBI Albany was among the top five field offices for arrests in Operation Restore Justice.

“This team works to aggressively investigate all threats of abuse and exploitation to children, not only from within our community, but also throughout the country and world,” said Tremaroli.

He credited local law enforcement agencies – from Cohoes, Colonie, Rotterdam, Saratoga Springs, Watervliet, Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office and the New York State Police – for being part of the FBI’s Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force. 

“Unfortunately we see that there is an uptick in these kinds of cases, even in a small community, such as Cohoes,” said Cohoes Police Chief Todd Waldin. “And with that rise, we see that there are resources that we don’t have on our own, and the use of the internet and social media has become very prevalent…We couldn’t get this mission done if it wasn’t for the continued cooperation between both local, county, state and federal authorities.”

Saratoga Springs Police Chief Tyler McIntosh said the shared federal, state, and local resources among the agencies is more than just an alliance. 

“It’s a force multiplier in our fight to protect the most vulnerable members of our communities,” said McIntosh. “These child predators, as we know, are not bound by jurisdictional lines, and it takes all of us working together to ensure the highest degree of protection for our children.”

U.S. Attorney John Sarcone II credits all involved in the investigations, who had to review heinous material.

“I also want to compliment all of the A.U.S.A..’s (Assistant U.S. Attorneys) that are in my office that have to prosecute these cases. You can imagine it’s gut wrenching to have to review the evidence and then also present it,” said Sarcone.

Included in the arrests was 19-year-old Jerry Butler, an alleged leader of a cult. Sarcone said the investigation unveiled disturbing crimes.  

“Entrance to the cult, you have to have images of a child sexually mutilating themselves. It’s absolutely horrific,” said Sarcone. 

Those eight individuals are facing charges that include "...possession, enticement, and coercion of child sexual abuse material," said Tremaroli. 

“I can’t stress enough how important it is for our parents and our caregivers to stay engaged with their children’s online and off-line activities. Recognize behavioral changes and maintain open lines of communication. Warning signs include secrecy, withdrawal, inappropriate knowledge of sexual topics, or fearfulness around certain individuals,” said Tremaroli.

He urges anyone with concerns to reach out to the FBI’s Tip Line 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324).

“Wherever these predators are, whatever they’re doing, this task force – the men and women of law-enforcement throughout the country – are going to follow those facts. Pursue it, identify them, locate them, arrest them, and hold them accountable,” said Tremaroli.