Twenty men and one woman were arrested in an undercover operation targeting people on the internet who police say were planning on meeting young children for sex.
The Washington State Patrol's Missing and Exploited Children Task Force was in charge of the multi-day operation that generated hundreds of responses and involved multiple law enforcement agencies.
Investigators say the suspects who were arrested agreed to travel to meet with undercover detectives posing as young girls and boys to engage in sexual.
As a result of the operation, detectives said they were able to rescue four children who were at risk of being abused.
"It's vital we take these child predators off the streets and keep our children safe," says Washington State Patrol Chief John Batiste. "Through collaboration with our partners, we are making the internet safer for kids and are also able to protect the most vulnerable community members from abuse."
The following people were arrested:
- Leslie Joe Vopat: Probable cause of commercial sexual abuse of a minor and attempted rape of a child in the second degree.
- John Stephen Moore: Probable cause of commercial sexual abuse of a minor and attempted rape of a child in the second degree.
- Michael Paul Haxton: Probable cause for attempted rape of a child in the first degree and attempted rape of a child in the second degree.
- Steve Wayne Wolsieffer: Probable cause for attempted rape of a child in the first degree, communication with a minor for immoral purposes.
- Adam Joseph Persell: Probable cause for attempted rape of a child in the first degree - 2 counts, and attempted rape of a child in the second degree.
- Ezra Danilo Wright: Probable cause of attempted rape of a child in the first degree.
- Arthur David Fowler: Probable cause of attempted rape of a child in the second degree.
- Dale Maurice Olea: Probable cause for attempted rape of a child in the third degree.
- Nathan Bill Wiggs: Probable cause for attempted rape of a child in the first degree.
- Joseph Michael Schonek: Probable cause for attempted rape of a child in the first degree, attempted rape of a child in the second degree and unlawful possession of a controlled substance-methamphetamine.
- Nathan Ahman Vahanian: Probable cause of attempted rape of child in the first degree-2 counts, and possession of depictions of minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct.
- Jennifer Graen: Held on $150,000 for allegedly dealing in depictions, possession of depictions and sexual exploitation of a minor in Grays Harbor County.
- Antaeus Laurent Clark: Probable cause for attempted rape of a child in the first degree, attempted rape of a child in the second degree and commercial sexual abuse of a minor.
- Troy Eugene Dubes: Probable cause of attempted rape of a child in the first degree, attempted rape of a child in the second degree, and commercial sexual abuse of a minor
- Bryant Earle Glant: Probable cause of attempted rape of a child in the first degree -2 counts.
- Kyle Jackson: Probable cause of attempted rape of a child first degree and attempted rape of a child second degree.
- Douglas D Pressley: Probable cause of attempted rape of a child in the first degree – 2 counts and attempted rape of a child in the second degree.
- Daniel John Masters: Probable cause of attempted rape of a child in the first degree.
- Gabriel Augusto Garcia: Probable cause of attempted rape of a child in the first degree, and attempted communication with a minor for immoral purposes.
- Michael Sifre: Apprehension of soldier, Army CID
- Kris K. Bennett- Arrested for attempt of rape of a child first-degree and attempt rape of a child second degree.
Cox Media Group
