KGMI News
BELLINGHAM, Wash. – Twenty men, most from Bellingham, are in custody after an undercover child sex abuse sting by the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office and the State Patrol.
The sting operation “Net Nanny” targeted online offenders trying to buy, or offering children up for sexual contact using sites like Craigslist.
The operation run by law enforcement, county prosecutors, and victim
advocate specialists identified the suspects. Officers say 3 suspects had
access to 13 children at risk of being abused.
Undersheriff Jeff Parks said the men, ranging in age from 20 to 66, were put in custody during a sweep of arrests Thursday through Sunday.
The Washington State Patrol started “Net Nanny” in August of 2015. Nine additional operations in Washington State followed the original operation, leading to 159 arrests.
Undercover detectives posing as young girls and boys communicated with individuals interested in having sex with children through various websites. The men who were arrested traveled to meet with undercover detectives, the State Patrol said.
Those arrested have been charged with attempted rape of a child, commercial sexual abuse of a minor, communication with a minor for immoral purposes, among other charges.