Pierce County Net Nanny Operation Leads to 21 ArrestsPuyallup – 21 dangerous sexual predators who targeted children in Pierce County were removed from the Puyallup community thanks to a multi-day operation run by the Washington State Patrol (WSP), and several local law enforcement partners and affiliates. Dubbed “Operation Net Nanny,” this was the 13th operation around the state with a mission to proactively target those persons involved in child abuse and child exploitation via the internet. In addition to the identified suspects, Detectives believe four suspects have been recognized as having access to over 10 children at risk of being abused. Supplemental follow-up investigations are currently underway to identify those children and arrange for the appropriate assistance for any abuse they may have been exposed to.
The Net Nanny operations began in August of 2015 by the Washington State Patrol (WSP). Since the original operation, there have been twelve additional operations throughout Washington State. The WSP Missing and Exploited Children Task Force (MECTF), an Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) affiliate, spearheads the multi-agency operation that includes partners in federal, state, and local law enforcement.
The “Net Nanny” series, conducted throughout the State of Washington, has now netted a total of 205 arrests and rescued over 30 identified child victims throughout the state.
“While the Internet is a powerful tool for our nation, criminals using it to target our communities’ necessitates a need for this type of proactive investigations by our law enforcement troopers and partners in order to combat these horrible crimes,” says WSP Chief John R. Batiste. “This operation is protecting our vulnerable children and making communities safer.”
Undercover Law enforcement officers communicated on the internet through various websites and mobile phone applications with people interested in having sex with children. The operation generated hundreds of responses. The would-be perpetrators who were arrested over the five day operation traveled to meet with undercover detectives posing as young girls and boys with the intent to engage in sexual activity with children as young as nine years old.
Primary crimes investigated are:
- RCW 9A.44.073 – Rape of a child in the first degree – attempt
- RCW 9A.44.076 – Rape of a child in the second degree – attempt
- RCW 9.68A.100 – Commercial sexual abuse of a minor
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- RCW 9.68A.070 – Possession of depictions of a minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct
- RCW 9.68A.050 – Dealing in depictions of a minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct
- RCW 9.68A.090 – Communication with a minor for immoral purposes
- RCW 69.50.4015 – Involving a person under 18 in unlawful controlled substance transaction
- RCW 69.50.406 – Distribution to persons under age 18
The names of the individuals arrested during the operation are:
- David P. Gasvoda, 57, Port Orchard, WA
- John D. Hester, 70, Shelton, WA
- Joseph C. Beck, 65, Olympia, WA
- Malik N. Williams, 22, Federal Way, WA
- Carlos A. Valdez, 19, Joint Base Lewis McCord (JBLM) , WA
- Arthur J. Pederson, 26, Puyallup, WA
- Jason L. Bond, 51, Federal Way, WA
- Andrew D. McKenzie, 27, Seattle, W A
- Michael L. Wolfenberger24, Aberdeen, WA
- Michael E. Moffitt, 22, Auburn, WA
- Samir O. Payne, 24, Tacoma, WA
- Timothy A. Cole, 29, Bremerton, WA
- Reginaldo Morales Cardenas, 37, Auburn, WA
- Junjie Gong, 24, Lakewood, WA
- Steven D. Ferguson Jr., 19, Tacoma, WA
- Sean M. Quigley, 34, Gresham, OR
- John E. Perez, 29, Lakewood, WA
- Mathew Fowler, 59, Puyallup, WA
- Anwar M. Jeylani, 22, Seattle, WA
- Patrick, A. Davis, Lynnwood, WA
- Benjamin A. Stott, 24, Seattle, WA
The collaborative effort involving over 60 dedicated law enforcement officer, agents, and staff led to the success of this operation. Those agencies involved:
- Washington State Patrol Missing and Exploited Children Task Force
- U.S. Homeland Security Investigations
- Federal Bureau of Investigations Seattle and Tacoma Field Offices
- Naval Criminal Investigative Services
- Army Criminal Investigation Command (CID)
- Southeast Region Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force
- Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office
- Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office, Oregon State – ‘Intercept’ Unit
- Bellingham Police Department
- Bonney Lake Police Department
- Centralia Police Department
- Lakewood Police Department
- Pierce County Prosecutor’s Office
- US Marshall’s Service
- Washington State Department of Corrections
- Washington State Attorney General’s Office
- Washington State Patrol High Tech Crime Unit
- Washington State Patrol Criminal Investigation Division
- Washington State Patrol Field Operation Bureau – District 1 and 2
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Anyone with information related to the suspects listed, or information leading to the identity of victims potentially involved in these cases please contact:
– Washington State Patrol, MECTF
o mectf@wsp.wa.gov
There will be a scheduled media conference at the Washington State Patrol District 2 Headquarters, 2803 156th Ave. SE, Bellevue, WA, at 1000 hours. If you are going to attend, please call or email Trooper Rick Johnson:
– Washington State Patrol, District 2 PIO:
o Rick.johnson@wsp.wa.govo 425-766-0812
MECTF is a state law enforcement agency governed by RCW 13.60.110, and not designated as a 501 (c)(3) charity. Please consult with your tax professional or the Internal Revenue Service to determine if your donation is tax exempt. To donate and support MECTF, please visit: http://www.wsp.wa.gov/crime/mectf/
The funding for this operation was made possible due in part by support from the public as well as a generous donation from Operation Underground Railroad (O.U.R.). O.U.R. is a non-profit 501(c)(3) whoshares the mission of law enforcement agencies to save children and see that child predators are arrested and prosecuted. O.U.R. is privileged and honored to partner with our nation’s law enforcement heroes in this important cause to combat the sexual exploitation of children in our nation’s communities.
All proceeds go directly to MECTF and are used explicitly in the identification and safe recovery of exploited children, the investigation of those sexually exploiting children, and successful apprehension and prosecution thereof.
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