Sheriff: Underage sex sting leads to arrests of nine men in Clackamas County

Article from kptv.com.

CLACKAMAS COUNTY, OR – Nine men who showed up at a Clackamas County location looking to have sexual contact with minors were arrested as part of a sting operation called “Operation Kidsafe,” according to deputies.

The operation was conducted by the Inter-agency Child Exploitation Prevention Team from Friday to Sunday.

Deputies said the suspects were interacting with law enforcement professionals posing as children online from ages 14 and younger.

“Personally to me, it’s just shocking to see individuals who are really making a huge effort to try and have sex with children at such a young age,” said Clackamas County Sheriff Craig Roberts.

A meeting place in Clackamas County was established with the suspects, who were arrested at the scene.

“They showed up with the full intention of meeting kids 14 years and much younger,” said Roberts.

The suspects were identified Monday as:

• Shawn Michael Richardson, 43
• Patrick Anthony Douglas Lovato, 25
• David Hunter Duvall, 38
• Nathan Kevin Jump, 21
• Douglas Scott Hewitt, 66
• Kyle Gregory Johnson, 41
• Mahoney McKeon, 45
• Ryan Christopher Vanderzanden, 49
• Vincent Gregory Rundo, 46

Each suspect faces charges of online sexual corruption of a child. Lovato, Duvall, Johnson, Vanderzanden and Rundo also face charges of luring a minor. Lovato faces additional charges of second-degree encouraging child sex abuse.

Detectives are following up on investigative leads in connection with Operation Kidsafe and said they hope to make more arrests in the near future.

On Monday, Sheriff Roberts had a message for child predators.

“I want you to know we’re out there and we’re paying attention and what we see online we’re going to make sure we do everything we can to hold you accountable, trying to solicit young kids in our community,” he said.

Operation Kidsafe included the involvement of the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office, Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office, Washington State Highway Patrol, Department of Homeland Security, Oregon State Police, Oregon City Police Department, Clackamas County District Attorney’s Office and U.S. Attorney’s Office in Oregon.

If you or someone you care about was sexually abused and you would like advice from an attorney about the rights and options for victims of child sexual abuse, please contact Crew Janci today for a free, confidential consultation at 1-888-407-0224 or by using our private online form.  We will treat you with discretion and respect.

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