5 arrested in undercover child predator sting after deputies posed as minors online
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Five people were arrested and accused of luring people whom they believed to be minors to meet them for sex, authorities said.
In reality, the people who were arrested were actually talking to Washington County Sheriff's Office investigators posing as underage boys and girls on online platforms, including dating apps and social media sites, officials said.
The arrests happened on Thursday as part of the sheriff's office's child predator sting.
The alleged offenders, who are all facing charges of luring a minor and sexual corruption of a child, include:
- Raymi Calla-McFarlane, 24, of Portland
- Karl Bawden, 45, of Hillsboro.
- Glen Guthrie, 65, of Gladstone
- Josue Romero-Lopez, 25, of Beaverton
- David Vichi, 49, of Wallowa
The sheriff's office said they believe all of the people who were arrested may have more victims.
Of those who were arrested, investigators with the Hillsboro Police Department had already been looking into Vichi since last month after "an actual minor came forward with concerning information regarding inappropriate contact," the Washington County Sheriff's Office said in a press release. He was specifically sought in the sheriff's office sting for this reason, officials said.
Anyone with information about the people arrested in the child predator sting are asked to contact the Washington County Sheriff's Office.