The FBI, led by Director Kash Patel, has announced a groundbreaking operation in the Chicago area that culminated in the arrest of more than 300 individuals over a span of two months.
In an exclusive statement to News Media, Patel said, “Operation New Dawn embodies a comprehensive government strategy initiated under President Trump’s guidance to aggressively fight violent crimes and child-related offenses in America’s major cities.”
This extensive crackdown in Chicago involved the collaboration of 11 federal agencies, resulting in 305 arrests and the rescue of 24 children, many of whom had been identified as kidnapped or missing. The operation also leveled charges including robbery, kidnapping, drug trafficking, and child exploitation against various suspects.
Patel emphasized, “The success of this operation, along with future endeavors like Summer Heat 2.0, underscores the message that the FBI, in conjunction with our partners and under the leadership of Attorney General Todd Blanche, is committed to dismantling criminal networks nationwide, regardless of their location.”
According to a statement from the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Illinois, the operation enlisted agencies including the FBI, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).
FBI Director Kash Patel touted the agency’s facilitation of foreign transfers of custody for two high-profile targets, one from Iraq and one from Colombia. (Heather Diehl/Getty Images)
Aside from the robbers, kidnappers and drug traffickers Patel detailed, other suspects swept up in the operation included those involved in gun trafficking, gun offenses and immigration violations, according to the U.S. attorney’s statement.
The statement described the operation as “badgeless,” noting that the numerous federal agencies collaborated “under the banner of the United States flag as opposed to the shield of any 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.