08/03/2026
Operation Mountain Justice: A Message to Child Predators
Operation Mountain Justice was an overwhelming success and a powerful example of what can be accomplished when law enforcement and dedicated partners unite to protect our children.
This operation was a joint partnership between the Fort Gay Police Department and the nonprofit organization Veterans For Child Rescue, combining the resources, experience, and expertise of both organizations to target individuals seeking to sexually exploit children.
During this operation, multiple individuals were arrested after allegedly traveling to Wayne County with the intent of engaging in sexual activity with someone they believed to be a 14-year-old child. Additional suspects have been identified, and arrest warrants are pending.
Every arrest made represents one more predator removed from our communities and one more step toward protecting our children.
I want to extend my sincere appreciation to Craig “Sawman” Sawyer and the entire Veterans For Child Rescue team. Craig is a former U.S. Marine, former U.S. Navy SEAL, and former Federal Air Marshal who founded Veterans For Child Rescue to assist law enforcement in combating child exploitation. His team’s professionalism, experience, and unwavering commitment to protecting children were evident throughout every phase of this operation. They worked seamlessly alongside our officers and proved to be an invaluable partner.
I would strongly encourage any law enforcement agency looking to conduct proactive child exploitation investigations to consider partnering with Veterans For Child Rescue. Their professionalism, integrity, and extensive experience make them an outstanding resource for agencies committed to protecting children.
This operation sends a clear message: if you attempt to exploit a child, we will work tirelessly to identify you, investigate you, and hold you accountable.
Thank you to every officer, investigator, and partner who helped make Operation Mountain Justice a success. Together, we are making our communities safer and demonstrating that when law enforcement and dedicated nonprofit organizations work side by side, we can make a real difference in protecting our children.