MYNORTHWEST NEWS

Three JBLM active military members arrested in sexual predator sting

Feb 21, 2019, 5:19 PM | Updated: 5:26 pm

A soldier died in a training exercise at Joint Base Lewis-McChord...

(AP)

(AP)

Washington State Patrol arrested 22 accused “dangerous sexual predators” in a recent Thurston County sting operation, three of whom are active military members based out of Joint Base Lewis-McChord.

RELATED: Seattle woman reports taking down assailant while running
RELATED: Sting nets 10 arrests plus guns, drugs, cash

Dubbed “Operation Net Nanny,” the operation was one in a series of 15, that have arrested 246 alleged sexual predators, and rescued over 30 children across Washington state.

“This operation is aimed at protecting our vulnerable children and making communities safer,” said Washington State Patrol Chief John Batiste in a Thursday news release.

Between Feb. 15-20, undercover officers contacted hundreds of suspects online, almost two-dozen of whom traveled to meet those detectives, thinking they were underage girls or boys as young as six years old.

State Patrol works with the Naval Criminal Investigative Service on stings like this, who will then contact authorities at JBLM.

The military generally conducts its own separate investigation, and could impose additional charges on the three military members arrested. All three men arrested are stationed at JBLM with the U.S. Army.

In addition to state patrol, the sting was executed by a collaborative task force of over 70 law enforcement staff members, agents, and officers from the FBI, Homeland Security, a collection of local police departments, the Washington State Attorney General’s office, and more.

Additional reporting from KIRO Radio News Staff

MyNorthwest News

Image: The awnings of a store advertise the sale of lottery tickets, including Mega Millions and Po...

Steve Coogan

Lottery jackpots update: Powerball prize jumps again after $1.1B Mega Millions win

A lottery jackpots update: The Powerball prize reached an estimated $935 million ahead of Saturday night's drawing.

9 hours ago

Photo: The Judge Patricia H. Clark Children and Family Justice Center....

James Lynch

King County’s plan to close youth detention center met with fierce backlash

The King County Law and Justice Committee received a final report on Executive Dow Constantine's plan to close a youth detention center.

11 hours ago

Image: A cargo ship is stuck under the part of the structure of the Francis Scott Key Bridge after ...

Associated Press

Authorities identify 2 bodies recovered at site of Baltimore bridge collapse

A major bridge in Baltimore snapped and collapsed after a container ship rammed into it early Tuesday, and several vehicles fell into the river below.

13 hours ago

Photo: Mountaineer Jim Whittaker has died at 95....

Gene Johnson, The Associated Press

Lou Whittaker, among the most famous American mountaineers, has died at age 95

Lou Whittaker, a legendary American mountaineer who helped lead ascents of Mount Everest, K2 and Denali, has died at age 95.

13 hours ago

File photo: Former Sen. Joe Lieberman speaks in Washington on Jan. 18, 2024....

Associated Press

Former Sen. Joe Lieberman, Democrats’ VP pick in 2000, dead at 82

Former U.S. Sen. Joe Lieberman of Connecticut, who nearly won the vice presidency on the Democratic ticket with Al Gore in 2000, has died.

13 hours ago

Image: A Tacoma teen was shot outside her Tacoma Hilltop area apartment over the weekend....

Heather Bosch

Estranged boyfriend suspected in Tacoma teen’s death turns himself in

We're learning more about the man who's accused of fatally shooting a teenager outside her Tacoma Hill Top area apartment over the weekend.

14 hours ago

Three JBLM active military members arrested in sexual predator sting