CHELAN COUNTY, Wash. – Thirteen people were arrested last week in a multi-agency operation targeting alleged child predators in the Spokane area, according to the Chelan County Sheriff’s Office.
Dubbed “Operation Liberty Lake,” the two-day effort focused on identifying individuals who allegedly attempted to solicit sex from minors online. Officials said the sting was modeled after 2024’s Operation Net Nanny in Chelan County and involved cooperation among local, state, and federal agencies.
According to the sheriff’s office, the operation was led by the Washington State Patrol’s Missing and Exploited Children Task Force (MECTF), an Internet Crimes Against Children affiliate. Chelan County Detective Sergeant Brian Lewis served as a team leader, with Detective Cy Bowthorpe assisting in search warrant execution.
All suspects allegedly lived within normal driving distance from Chelan County. Sheriff Mike Morrison said the initiative highlights law enforcement’s commitment to protecting vulnerable community members.
“Protecting the most vulnerable members of our community remains a top priority,” Morrison said in the release. “We are proud to support operations like this and continue working with partners to combat these heinous crimes.”
The primary offenses investigated included attempted rape of a child, communication with a minor for immoral purposes, and sexual exploitation of a minor. Authorities said one additional case is pending federal indictment.
Anyone with information related to the investigation or potential victims is urged to contact the Missing and Exploited Children Task Force at mectf@wsp.wa.gov.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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