‘Net Nanny' sting nets 21 child predator arrests in Pierce County

PUYALLUP, Wash. — The Washington State Patrol says 21 dangerous sexual predators who targeted children in Pierce County were arrested in a sting dubbed “Operation Net Nanny.”

The five-day operation involved several law enforcement agencies and was the 13th such operation around the state to target people involved in child abuse and exploitation via the internet.

Undercover officers communicated with people on various websites and mobile apps who were interested in having sex with children.

WSP says the operation generated hundreds of responses. The suspects who were arrested traveled to meet with who they believed were young girls and boys with the intent to engage in sexual activity with children as young as nine years old.

The Net Nanny stings were started by WSP in August 2015 and have been conducted throughout the state. The operations have netted 205 arrests. More than 30 child victims have been identified.

Primary crimes investigated are attempted child rape, commercial sexual abuse of a minor, possession of or dealing in child pornography, communication with a minor for immoral purposes and others.

The suspects in the latest sting are all from Western Washington, except one who is from Gresham, Oregon.

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