Every day, predators use small digital devices like SD cards, cell phones, USB drives, hard drives, and micro-storage devices to hide evidence of child sexual abuse from law enforcement. These devices are easily concealed almost anywhere – inside walls, clothing, furniture, behind electrical outlets, in vehicles, or buried beneath clutter, making them incredibly difficult for investigators to find during searches.
When critical evidence remains hidden, children continue to suffer in silence.
Electronic Storage Device (ESD) K9s, like Our Rescue-sponsored Millie, make a positive impact on the fight against child exploitation. These highly trained detection dogs are specifically trained to locate electronic storage devices by scent, helping investigators discover hidden evidence that human searches and technology alone may miss. Their extraordinary abilities allow law enforcement to recover concealed digital devices faster, strengthening investigations and building stronger cases against offenders.
Operation Firewall: Supporting One of California’s Largest Child Exploitation Operations
In 2026, the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department participated in Operation Firewall, a coordinated operation targeting child exploitation. The field operation involved 29 agencies within San Bernadino’s Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force. For the second consecutive year, the department ranked first among participating agencies for number of arrests and rescues: a total of 101 arrests and 16 children rescued in Operation Firewall alone.
Investigators identified multiple suspects in the county who were allegedly targeting children in the State of California and beyond. Throughout the operation, investigators executed residential search warrants, conducted undercover online operations, and arrested suspects who allegedly arrived at locations with the intent of meeting children for sexual purposes.
ESD K9 Millie played a critical role throughout the operation. Supporting investigators during multiple residential search warrants, Millie located more than 50 electronic devices hidden in homes and properties. Investigators reported that several devices were missed during initial searches; evidence that may have otherwise remained concealed.
Man Arrested without Bail: Hidden Devices Connect to Two Children in Need of Urgent Intervention
Millie’s work has also directly supported investigations involving children in immediate need of intervention.
In August 2025, a coordinated investigation in California led to the rescue of two children after a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) was sent to the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department. The tip was received by the Specialized Investigations Division, which handles crimes against children, leading investigators to a 40-year-old suspect, Walter Yonatan “Jonny” Aguirre Gonzalez, who was allegedly sexually abusing multiple minors.
In crimes involving child exploitation, every second counts. Every hidden device can contain evidence that identifies victims, reveals networks of abuse, or brings perpetrators to justice. During the investigation, ESD K9 Millie isolated critical electronic devices that helped advance the case and directly supported law enforcement efforts that led investigators to locate two children, ages 5 and 8, who needed urgent intervention.
Yonatan was arrested, and investigators believe there may be additional survivors as the investigation continues.
The work of these heroic dogs does more than uncover evidence.
It brings answers.
It strengthens prosecutions.
It helps free children from ongoing abuse.
“This is exactly why we invest in specialized support like ESD K9 teams,” said Nate Davis, Our Rescue Vice President of North America Operations. “Every device these dogs locate helps move an investigation forward, and every step forward in these cases can mean a child is brought to safety sooner.”
The fight against child exploitation requires every possible tool. ESD K9s have become one of the most effective and innovative resources available to law enforcement, and your support helps make this program possible. Donations like yours have helped fund over 150 Our Rescue-sponsored ESD K9 teams in the U.S. and around the world.
Thanks to donors, these highly skilled ESD K9 teams are making communities safer, bringing predators to justice, and giving children a chance at a life free of sexual abuse.
