WSP Says Everett Man Among Those Arrested In “Net Nanny” Operation

November 20, 2019

Everett

On November 17th a 28-year-old man from Everett, Washington was arrested on suspicion of attempted second-degree child rape and communicating with a minor for immoral purposes. As of Wednesday evening he was being held in the Yakima County Jail on $50,000.00 bail. He was one of 16 men arrested this week. As a result we were asked to pass along the following by the Washington State Patrol:

16 dangerous sexual predators who targeted children in Yakima County were removed from the streets, thanks to a multi-day operation involving the Washington State Patrol (WSP), local Yakima County law enforcement agencies and several partner agencies.

Dubbed “Operation Net Nanny,” this is the 17th operation spearheaded by the WSP’s Missing and Exploited Children Task Force (MECTF), an Internet Crimes Against Children affiliate. Since the original operation in August 2015, MECTF has netted a total of 287 arrests and rescued more than 31 children across the state.

MECTF’s primary mission is to proactively target those persons involved in child abuse and child exploitation via the internet. “While the internet is a powerful tool for information in people’s lives, criminals use the same technology to commit unspeakable crimes against vulnerable populations including the young. Working with our local, state, and federal partners in law enforcement in operations like Net Nanny, we use every available resource to pursue the guilty and protect the innocent.” says WSP Chief John R. Batiste.

“This operation is aimed at protecting our vulnerable children and making our communities safer.” Chief Matthew Murray with Yakima Police department stated, “As parents of six children, and foster parents to forty other children, my wife and I cared for and lived alongside child victims suffering horrendous abuse. I have set the single priority of the Yakima Police Department as the reduction of violent crime. This operation absolutely helps us achieve that objective. I am grateful to our law enforcement partners for their leadership in this important endeavor -but also humbled by the long hours and diligent work of YPD staff who tirelessly gave to hold child predators accountable. The victims in these cases are amongst the most vulnerable in Yakima -hopefully this will be the first step in protecting them from further violent crime.”

Joseph A. Brusic, the Yakima County Prosecutor stated, “Arguably, one of the most heinous and despicable types of crime that we prosecute are predatory sexual assaults upon our children. Adults who target, whether directly or indirectly, young children to engage in intercourse or other sexual acts destroy the very fabric of childhood and the innocence that goes along with that time. Tragically, social media and the rampant use of current phone technology has assisted in these acts being committed. It is with great pride that the Yakima County Prosecutor’s Office is joining together with the Washington State Patrol, Yakima Police Department and the Attorney General’s Office to root out these predators and assist in their investigation and prosecution to create greater public safety here in Yakima County with Operation Net Nanny. The cooperation of numerous law enforcement agencies to further the goal of public safety involving children is a testament to our dedication and commitment to their well-being and health.”

Primary crimes investigated are:

  • RCW 9A.44.073 –Rape of a child in the first degree –attempt
  • RCW 9A.44.076 –Rape of a child in the second degree –attempt
  • RCW 9.68A.100 –Commercial sexual abuse of a minor
  • RCW 9.68A.090 –Communication with a minor for immoral purposes
  • RCW 9.68A.040 –Sexual Exploitation of a minor

    Washington State Attorney General Bob Ferguson stated, “As a parent, I’m proud to partner with the Washington State Patrol and Yakima County Prosecutor to ensure those who would prey on children are held accountable. These operations are a testament to what interagency partnerships can accomplish. I applaud the excellent work of the Washington State Patrol task force and local law enforcement. My office is proud to partner with law enforcement across the state to protect Washington children.”

    “The crimes these individuals were seeking to engage in are completely reprehensible,” said Eben Roberts, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Seattle. “Were it not for the efforts of HSI and our law enforcement partners, these criminals would still be actively searching out child victims. I commend all of those involved for their dedication to protecting the innocent, by eliminating these individuals from the community.”

    The names of the men arrested are not being printed here as these are arrests and formal charges have not yet been filed. Here are the ages and cities of the men arrested during the operation:

  • 28, Everett
  • 67, Union Gap
  • 29, Ephrata
  • 59, Yakima
  • 22, Yakima
  • 34, Kennewick
  • 20, Yakima
  • 34, White Swan
  • 21, Yakima
  • 40, Naches
  • 24, Union Gap
  • 29, Yakima
  • 18, Yakima
  • 26, Sunnyside
  • 25, Yakima
  • 24, Nampa, ID

    Anyone with information related to the suspects listed, or information leading to the identity of victims potentially involved in these cases please contact MECTF at mectf@wsp.wa.gov.



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