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During a large-scale raid against child abuse in Hesse, investigators seized more than 1,100 data storage devices. The investigation focuses on 71 suspects.
Fulda/Hesse – In a major operation against child abuse and child pornography, Hessian law enforcement authorities searched 69 apartments and houses last week (April 13th to 17th). The measures were directed against 71 accused, as the Hessian State Criminal Police Office and the Frankfurt Public Prosecutor's Office announced.
More than 1,100 data carriers were seized. According to the current state of the investigation, the accused, 68 men and three women between the ages of 14 and 70, are not connected to each other. They are mainly accused of producing, possessing and distributing child and youth pornography. In eight cases there is an allegation of sexual abuse of minors.
Investigators search 69 apartments in Hesse for child abuse
Following the apartment search, seven suspects had to be accompanied to the nearest office for questioning. The large-scale operation took place between Monday and Friday in numerous cities and districts in Hesse, including Frankfurt, Darmstadt and Kassel as well as Fulda, Hanau and Main-Kinzig. In total, the investigators seized 1,146 items that will now be evaluated.
“Protecting our children from abuse and exploitation is the top priority for the state of Hesse,” said Interior Minister Roman Poseck (CDU). With the FOKUS unit, a successful unit has been created that takes targeted, comprehensive action against these terrible crimes.
FOKUS unit at the Hessian police
The FOKUS unit (cross-case organizational structure against child pornography and sexual abuse of children) began its work in October 2020 due to the steadily increasing number of cases and has been an integral part of the regular organization of the seven Hesse police headquarters and the State Criminal Police Office since February 2024.
More than 300 employees, including around 170 investigators, specifically pursue sexual crimes against children and young people. All Hessian public prosecutors have set up special departments for the prosecution of child pornography and child abuse.
At the same time, Poseck warned of an increasing danger from artificial intelligence (AI). “The increasing spread of AI-generated sexualized deepfakes is a worrying development. It is a new form of digital violence that violates personal rights, degrades those affected and puts children at additional risk,” said the minister.
According to their own statements, the law enforcement authorities repeatedly discover that child pornographic images are generated using artificial intelligence. Using so-called prompts, new depictions of the sexual abuse of children could be created or existing harmless files could be changed with the help of special apps.
The FOKUS special unit fights against child abuse
Such artificially generated content is also punishable if it realistically shows a child and is likely to sexualize children. Poseck appealed to all parents to be sensitive to their children's privacy and, if possible, to avoid public posts. Every published image could become the basis for new crimes for perpetrators.
In 2025 alone, over 1,600 search warrants and 48 arrest warrants were executed against almost 1,620 suspects and more than 15,400 data carriers were seized. In October 2025, the State Criminal Police Office searched 65 apartments and houses, mainly in Hesse. Among the total of 63 suspects were 16 men and one woman from East Hesse.
