November 19, 2019
Yakima County – 16 dangerous sexual predators who targeted children in Yakima County were removed from the streets, thanks to a multi-day operation involving the Washington State Patrol (WSP), local Yakima County law enforcement agencies and several partner agencies.
Dubbed “Operation Net Nanny,” this is the 17th operation spearheaded by the WSP’s Missing and Exploited Children Task Force (MECTF), an Internet Crimes Against Children affiliate. Since the original operation in August 2015, MECTF has netted a total of 287 arrests and rescued more than 31 children across the state.
MECTF’s primary mission is to proactively target those persons involved in child abuse and child exploitation via the internet. “While the internet is a powerful tool for information in people’s lives, criminals use the same technology to commit unspeakable crimes against vulnerable populations including the young. Working with our local, state, and federal partners in law enforcement in operations like Net Nanny, we use every available resource to pursue the guilty and protect the innocent.” says WSP Chief John R. Batiste. “This operation is aimed at protecting our vulnerable children and making our communities safer.”
Chief Matthew Murray with Yakima Police department stated, “As parents of six children, and foster parents to forty other children, my wife and I cared for and lived alongside child victims suffering horrendous abuse. I have set the single priority of the Yakima Police Department as the reduction of violent crime. This operation absolutely helps us achieve that objective. I am grateful to our law enforcement partners for their leadership in this important endeavor – but also humbled by the long hours and diligent work of YPD staff who tirelessly gave to hold child predators accountable. The victims in these cases are amongst the most vulnerable in Yakima – hopefully this will be the first step in protecting them from further violent crime.”
Joseph A. Brusic, the Yakima County Prosecutor stated, “Arguably, one of the most heinous and despicable types of crime that we prosecute are predatory sexual assaults upon our children. Adults who target, whether directly or indirectly, young children to engage in intercourse or other sexual acts destroy the very fabric of childhood and the innocence that goes along with that time. Tragically, social media and the rampant use of current phone technology has assisted in these acts being committed. It is with great pride that the Yakima County Prosecutor’s Office is joining together with the Washington State Patrol, Yakima Police Department and the Attorney General’s Office to root out these predators and assist in their investigation and prosecution to create greater public safety here in Yakima County with Operation Net Nanny. The cooperation of numerous law enforcement agencies to further the goal of public safety involving children is a testament to our dedication and commitment to their well-being and health.”
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
- RCW 9.68A.090 – Communication with a minor for immoral purposes
- RCW 9.68A.040 – Sexual Exploitation of a minor
Washington State Attorney General Bob Ferguson stated, “As a parent, I’m proud to partner with the
Washington State Patrol and Yakima County Prosecutor to ensure those who would prey on children are held accountable. These operations are a testament to what interagency partnerships can accomplish. I applaud the excellent work of the Washington State Patrol task force and local law enforcement. My office is proud to partner with law enforcement across the state to protect Washington children.”
“The crimes these individuals were seeking to engage in are completely reprehensible,” said Eben Roberts,
Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Seattle. “Were it not for the efforts of HSI and our law enforcement partners, these criminals would still be actively searching out child victims. I commend all of those involved for their dedication to protecting the innocent, by eliminating these individuals from the community.”
The names of the individuals arrested during the operation are:
- Thomson, Frederick W., 67, Union Gap
- Tschauner, Bradley V., 29, Ephrata
- Raymond, John B., 59, Yakima
- Erlandson, Hayden A., 22, Yakima
- Curry, David E., 34, Kennewick
- Littlebull, Kendrick y., 20, Yakima
- Martinez, Lucas N., 34, White Swan
- Gaidaichuk, Veniamin N., 28, Everett
- Robertson, Richie H., 21, Yakima
- Atkins, Brent M., 40, Naches
- Hernandez, Christian, 24, Union Gap
- Ramirez, Jessie J., 29, Yakima
- Sanchez, Breton L., 18, Yakima
- Randhawa, Rakinder S., 26, Sunnyside
- Hudson, Fidel A., 25, Yakima
- Cool, Benjamin J., 24, Nampa, ID
Anyone with information related to the suspects listed, or information leading to the identity of victims potentially involved in these cases please contact MECTF at mectf@wsp.wa.gov.
The collaborative effort involving more than 70 dedicated law enforcement officers, agents, and staff led to the success of this operation. Those agencies involved include:
- Yakima Police Department
- Union Gap Police Department
- Yakima County Sheriff’s Office
- Yakima County Prosecutor’s Office
- Law Enforcement Against Drugs Task Force (LEAD)
- Homeland Security Investigations (HSI)
- South East Regional Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (Richland, Benton County, Kennewick, HSI)
- Washington State Patrol
- Federal Bureau of Investigation
- Washington State Attorney General’s Office
MECTF is a state law enforcement agency governed by RCW 13.60.110, and not designated as a 501 (c)(3) charity. All donations made to MECTF 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. 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: https://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) who shares 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.
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