“This operation is a powerful example of what we can accomplish when local, state, and federal agencies come together with a common goal: protecting our most vulnerable.”
Twelve individuals were taken into custody over the weekend in Battle Ground during a sweeping multi-agency operation targeting those suspected of sexually abusing and exploiting children.
The coordinated effort, dubbed Operation Battle Ground, involved the Washington State Patrol’s Missing and Exploited Children Task Force (MECTF), local Clark County law enforcement agencies, and multiple partner organizations. The Clark County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office will now review the cases to determine which charges will be filed.
Authorities said the arrests followed a multi-day undercover operation focused on identifying predators attempting to victimize minors online. The suspects are expected to face a range of serious charges, including attempted first-degree rape of a child, attempted second-degree rape of a child, and communication with a minor for immoral purposes.
Since launching its first operation in 2015, MECTF, an Internet Crimes Against Children affiliate, has made more than 350 arrests statewide, removing numerous children from dangerous environments.
“These targeted operations underscore the alarming extent of predators seeking to exploit children,” said Battle Ground Police Chief Dennis Flynn. “The collaborative work of the Missing and Exploited Children Task Force, along with the combined efforts of the twenty other law enforcement agencies, is critical to confronting these crimes. We remain steadfast in working alongside our partners to safeguard our youth from those who would exploit them.”
Washington State Patrol Chief John Batiste echoed that sentiment, emphasizing the strength of cross-agency coordination. “This operation is a powerful example of what we can accomplish when local, state, and federal agencies come together with a common goal: protecting our most vulnerable. The safety of our children will always be our top priority, and this operation sends a clear message: child exploitation will not be tolerated in Battle Ground or anywhere else.”
The suspects arrested were identified as:
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