Skagit County Online Child Sex Sting nets 6 arrests

Skagit County, Washington: The Skagit Multi Agency Response Team (SMART)  has arrested the following adults in a Skagit County child sex sting. The suspects are Kyle OConnor, Chris Bensen, Joshua Solomon, Matthew Beltran, Kyle MCrae. Each is charged with varying charges,from immoral communication with minor, attempted rape of a child in varying degrees, or commercial solicitation of a minor for prostitution. The S.M.A.R.T team is made up of Law Enforcement agencies from 4 cities, Anacortes, Burlington, Mount Vernon and Sedro Woolley. They received 140 solicitations on 3 fake profiles they created in 2 weeks, resulting in 6 arrests. There are a total of 6 investigations pending with possible charges in each one.

September 16th: A 28 year old male met up with detectives posing as a 14 year old prostitute on North Laventure road in Mount Vernon. The suspect had two young children with him at the time. It was later learned the the suspect was an off duty Whatcom County Corrections Deputy. Charged with 3rd degree attempted rape of a child. Commercial Sex abuse of a minor. Immoral communication with a minor.

September 18th: A 55 year old male met up with detectives posing as a confused 13 year old boy. They met at a bus stop in the 1200 Block of Laventure. He was charged with immoral communication with a minor, 2nd degree attempted child rape.

September 19th: a 29 year old male met up with detective who were posing as a 14 year old prostitute. He tried to meet the minor at a home in the Mount Vernon area. He was charged with immoral communication with a minor. Attempted rape of a child.

September 24th: A 37 year old male met up with detectives who were posing as a 14 year old prostitute. He tried to make contact with the minor at a park in Mount Vernon. They say he drove into the park and circled several times before exiting his vehicle and walking around the park looking for the victim. He was an active Navy Sailor and the Navy has been notified. He was charged with Communication with a minor for immoral purposes, Attempted 3rd degree rape of a child and commercial solicitation of a minor.

September 25th: A 17 year old male was taken into custody when he tried to meet detectives posing as a 9 year old female at a park in Mount Vernon.  He was charged with Attempted rape of a child in the 1st degree, Communication with a minor for immoral purposes. He was taken to Juvenile Detention.  (His name is being withheld due to his age)

September 25th: A 19 year old male was taken into custody after meeting detectives in a Mount Vernon park for sexual relations,  that were posing as a 9 year old girl online.  He has been charged with 1st degree attempted rape of a child, communication with a child for immoral purposes.

 

This information has been provided by the Skagit County S.M.A.R.T. team, and the Skagit County Prosecutor.

 

There are six additional cases where the suspect didn’t meet up with officers but their online communications with a minor they crossed the line of the law. These six persons may be charged as the investigation continues.

 

The Sheriff’s Office does not release mug shots of the suspects as it does not provide any Law Enforcement benefit to do so.