FBI Director Kash Patel described a major multi-agency law enforcement effort that led to more than 300 arrests across the Chicago area during a 60-day operation.
Patel said “Operation New Dawn” reflected what he called a broad, government-wide push under President Trump to target violent crime and offenses involving children in major U.S. cities.
In a statement to News Agency, Patel said the Chicago operation brought together 11 federal agencies and resulted in 305 arrests. Authorities also recovered 24 children, many of whom had been listed as missing or kidnapped, he said. Suspects face allegations including robbery, kidnapping, drug trafficking, child exploitation and other crimes.
Patel said the results, along with future efforts through initiatives such as Summer Heat 2.0, should signal that the FBI, its law enforcement partners and the Justice Department under AG Todd Blanche are aggressively pursuing criminal networks nationwide.
Agencies involved in the operation included the FBI, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and Homeland Security Investigations, according to a statement from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Illinois.
FBI Director Kash Patel highlighted the agency’s role in coordinating the transfer of custody of two high-profile targets, one from Iraq and another from Colombia. (Heather Diehl/Getty Images)
In addition to suspects accused of robbery, kidnapping and drug trafficking, authorities said the operation also netted individuals tied to firearms trafficking, weapons violations and immigration-related offenses.
The U.S. attorney’s office described the effort as “badgeless,” saying participating federal agencies worked together under the U.S. flag rather than under the banner of any single agency.
U.S. Attorney Andrew S. Boutros said the operation and the collaboration it induced represented a new era of law enforcement in America.
“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.”
ATF Special Agent in Charge in Chicago Christopher Amon concurred.
Felipe Dejesus Gomez Ramirez’s mugshot (Homeland Security Investigations)
“Law enforcement has always been, and always will be, a team sport,” Amon said in a statement. “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.”
The cooperation enabled the agencies to sweep up criminals like Felipe Dejesus Gomez Ramirez, who HSI noted is a convicted murderer and illegal alien.
New Dawn operators also arrested David Collins and Tyrone Thomas, who authorities say are members of Chicago’s Traveling Vice Lords criminal gang who were deeply involved in drug trafficking. Both were federally charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute heroin and fentanyl.
Mugshots of David Collins (left) and Tyrone Thomas (right), members of the Traveling Vice Lords street gang who were federally convicted on drug trafficking charges. Both were arrested in Operation New Dawn. (Homeland Security Investigations )
“Operation New Dawn demonstrates the power of coordinated law enforcement efforts to address the interconnected threats of violent crime and drug trafficking,” Todd C. Smith, special agent in charge of the DEA Chicago Field Division said 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.”
The operation, which began in earnest May 1, has so far resulted in 179 criminal defendants being charged in federal court in 140 newly-filed criminal cases.
Twenty-four children, many of whom were kidnapped, were located and safely returned home, according to the statement.
