Fourteen men from across Western Washington were arrested in Skagit County over the weekend in connection to an investigation involving the sexual abuse and exploitation of children.
The men, who range in age from 25 to 62, are from areas around the Interstate 5 corridor including Bellingham, Seattle, Mount Vernon, Ferndale and Edmonds, said Sergeant Jermaine Walker, a public information officer for the Washington State Patrol. The investigation stemmed from multiple agencies including WSP, Skagit County law enforcement and other partners.
The operation was spearheaded by WSP’s Missing and Exploited Children Task Force, whose primary mission is to proactively target people involved in child abuse and exploitation through the internet.
Probable cause existed to arrest the men on suspicion of attempted first- and second-degree rape of a child, communication with a minor for immoral purposes and sexual exploitation of a minor, Walker said. The Skagit County Prosecutor’s Office will review the cases to determine what charges can be filed.
“We will be aggressively prosecuting these people and holding them accountable for their actions,” Skagit County Prosecutor Rich Weyrich said. “We will remain vigilant in attempting to identify and bring to justice others who would engage in these activities.”
The men are incarcerated in Skagit County Jail.
Annie Todd is CDN’s criminal justice/enterprise reporter; reach her at annietodd@cascadiadaily.com; 360-922-3090 ext. 130.
