Springfield, IL (WAND) – The FBI Springfield Field Office said its agents, alongside state and local partners, made 35 arrests across central and southern Illinois as part of the national “Summer Heat” operation.

The FBI’s campaign ran from June through September, targeting violent offenders, drug traffickers, and predators exploiting children.

In total, the Springfield office reported 20 arrests tied to violent crime and gangs, 15 arrests related to crimes against children, 29 drug seizures, and 15 weapons seizures.

Special Agent in Charge Christopher J.S. Johnson told WAND News the operation reflects the FBI’s roots in fighting violent crime and protecting vulnerable victims.

“Summer Heat was an initiative that ran through the summer focused on violent offenders, weapons, drugs, and crimes against children,” Johnson said. “It was a concerted effort across all field offices to show that we’re still here, still working with our partners, and trying to make our community safer.”

Johnson explained that the FBI’s task forces worked with police departments across all 84 counties covered by the Springfield office.

“We have multiple groups and task forces working together with the Illinois State Police,” he explained. “If you’re in Peoria. If you’re in Champaign, it doesn’t matter how large the police department is, everybody’s just working together.”

Nationally, “Summer Heat” led to more than 8,600 arrests, including 6,500 connected to violent crime and gang investigations. The FBI also identified or located more than 1,000 child victims and seized illegal drugs and weapons.

Locally, Johnson said the results reinforce the impact of teamwork.

“When you can collaborate and work together, it’s what we call a ‘force multiplier,’” he said. “Multiple resources coming from different levels of government are trying to make the community safer. We’re going to continue to work and crush that violent crime to make sure that our communities are safe.”