Twenty-one individuals were taken into custody in Snohomish County this week as part of a multi-agency operation identifying those allegedly involved in the sexual abuse and exploitation of children.
The multi-day operation involved the Washington State Patrol (WSP), Edmonds Police Department, local Snohomish County law enforcement agencies, and several state and federal partner agencies. The Snohomish County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office will review the cases to determine which potential criminal charges will be filed.
Dubbed “Operation Guardian,” this operation was spearheaded by the WSP’s Missing and Exploited Children Task Force (MECTF), a Washington State Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) affiliate. Since the first operation in August 2015, the legislatively funded MECTF has netted nearly 400 arrests and removed numerous children from danger across the state because of police intervention.
“Our detectives worked tirelessly with our local and federal partners to identify and arrest those who prey on the most vulnerable in our community,” said Chief John Batiste of the Washington State Patrol.
“Protecting children from exploitation is one of the most important responsibilities we have as law enforcement officers, and we will continue to pursue these offenders relentlessly.”
Assistant Chief Josh McClure of the Edmonds Police Department added:
“We are proud to have served as the base of operations for this exceptional team of law enforcement professionals and support staff.”
“It has been our privilege to support this operation and the Task Force’s dedicated efforts to prevent child victimization in and around Edmonds. This was an extraordinary demonstration of collaborative, mission-focused public safety.”
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.090 – Commercial Sexual Abuse of a Minor • RCW 9A.68A.100 – Communication with a minor for immoral purposes • RCW 9.68A.040 – Sexual Exploitation of a minor
- RCW 9.41.040 – Unlawful Possession of a Firearm
The names of the individuals taken into custody during the operation were:
• LE, Remington, 23, Lake Stevens, WA
• MEJIAN PEREZ, Guillermo, 22, Shoreline WA
• WALKER, Karl, 60, Mount Lake Terrace, WA
• HANSEN, Paul, 65, Kirkland, WA
• LUNA, Angel, 63, Mountlake Terrace, WA
• ANAYA BELTRAN, Jose, 37, Lynnwood, WA
• MARROQUIN HERRERA, Hector, 31, Lynnwood, WA
• BUDHATHOKI, Ishan, 28, Seattle, WA
• LARA MADDRIGALES, Carlos, 34, Mountlake Terrace, WA
• HERNANDEZ-HERNANDEZ, Humberto, 38, Lynnwood, WA
• DE PAZ PEREZ, Jimy, 24, Burien, WA
• GALVEZ QUEVEDO, Hector, 44, Shoreline, WA
• MARTINEZ, Daniel, 52, El Paso, TX
• YEPES PONCE, Antonio, 37, Zapotitlan De Vadillo, Mexico
• DOGBEY, Seyram, 32, Ridgeland, MS
• DALE, Nicholas, 30, Lynnwood, WA
• PANINGBATAN, Hanzel, 38, Everett, WA
• WADE, Dillon, 28, Arlington, WA
• MORALES VELASCO, Anthony, 28, Glennwood, WA
• BERA, Asim, 56, Seattle WA
• LOPEZ SANCHEZ, Benjamin 28, Tacoma, WA
Anyone with information related to the suspects listed, or information leading to the identity of victims potentially involved in these cases, please contact METCF at mectf@wsp.wa.gov.
The collaborative effort involving more than 30 dedicated law enforcement agencies, agents, and staff led to the success of this operation. Those agencies involved include:
• Washington State Patrol
• Edmonds Police Department
• Washington State Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force • Snohomish County Prosecutor’s Office
• Bothell Police Department
• Chelan County Sheriff’s Office
• Everett Police Department
• Federal Bureau of Investigation
• Fife Police Department
• Homeland Security Investigations
• Kirkland Police Department
• Kittitas County Sheriff’s Office
• Lakewood Police Department
• Lake Stevens Police Department
• Lynnwood Police Department
• Marysville Police Department
• Mountlake Terrace Police Department
• Monroe Police Department
• Mukilteo Police Department
• Othello Police Department
• Pierce County Sherrif’s Office
• Post Falls Police Department
July 1, 2026
Everett