WSP makes 13 arrests in online child sex abuse operation

Washington State Police (WSP) and nearby county sheriff departments arrested 13 alleged sexual predators who targeted children in nearby Kittitas County thanks to a multi-day operation.

Named “Operation Net Nanny”, the mission of the operation was to “proactively target those persons involved in child abuse and child exploitation via the internet,” according to a WSP news release.  Operation Net Nanny was the 14th operation in the state with similar missions.

“In addition to the identified suspect, detectives believe two suspects have been recognized as having access to other children at risk of being abused,” the news release stated. “Supplemental follow-up investigations are currently underway to identify those children and arrange for the appropriate assistance for any abuse they may have been exposed to.”

Net Nanny began in late summer of 2015 by WSP. Since then an additional 13 operations were executed across the state, the news release stated. The WSP Missing and Exploited Children Task Force (MECTF), an affiliate of Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC), spearheaded the multi-agency operation, which included partners in federal, state and local law enforcement.

So far the series of operations similar to Net Nanny has led to 221 arrests and has rescued over 30 identified child victims in Washington.

The names of the individuals arrested during the operation are:

• Carlos J. Camacho, 36, Union Gap

• John C. Lindral, 65, Easto

• Andrew R. Rankin, 31, Yakima

•Nathan A. Rex, 30, Ellensburg

•Tommy Joel Paul Quiroz, 32, Yakima

•Omar A. Martinez, 24, Pasco

•Edward E. Pierce, 42, Tacoma

•William O. Conklin, 31, Ellensburg

•Roberto Avila, 23, Quincy

•Donald D. Gilson, 36, Ellensburg

•Juan R. Mendoza, 29, Richland

•Guadalupe M. Flores, 22, Granger

•Joseph E. Geyer, 32, Ellensburg

Primary crimes investigated in these types of missions include; Attempted rape of a child in the first degree, attempted rape of a child in the second degree, commercial sexual abuse of a minor, possession of depictions of a minor engaged in sexually explicit content, dealing in depictions of a minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct, communication with a minor for immoral purposes, involving a person under 18 in unlawful controlled substance transaction and distribution to persons under age 18.

“Our mission and duty is to protect all people,” Kittitas County Sheriff Gene Dana stated in the news release. “This opportunity allowed a team to focus on those that use the Internet who prey on and sexually abuse children in our community.  This operation has resulted in numerous arrests. Some of those arrested may have already committed crimes against children and detectives are currently following up on those cases.  Our hope is that these efforts will act as a deterrent and prevent future violations in our county. ”