Twelve men were arrested in Battle Ground last week during a four-day operation targeting child sex predators, according to a Wednesday, Aug. 27, Washington State Patrol (WSP) news release.
The primary crimes under investigation include attempted rape of a child, communication with a minor for immoral purposes, and sexual exploitation of a minor, according to WSP.
The investigation, led by the agency’s Missing and Exploited Children Task Force, involved more than 20 law enforcement agencies and over 60 officers. Most of those arrested are accused of traveling to a predetermined location in Battle Ground, believing they would engage in sexual activity with a minor. The Clark County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office will review the cases to determine potential charges.
“These targeted operations underscore the alarming extent of predators seeking to exploit children,” Battle Ground Chief of Police Dennis Flynn said in a news release. “The collaborative work of the Missing and Exploited Children Task Force, along with the combined efforts of the twenty other law enforcement agencies, is critical to confronting these crimes. We remain steadfast in working alongside our partners to safeguard our youth from those who would exploit them.”
The men arrested range in age from 24 to 61 and are from across Washington, Oregon and New York.
WSP identified the accused as: John Yee, 48, Portland; Shadrick Monen, 24, Salem, Oregon; Bakary Berete, 28, Portland; Bryce Bennett, 43, Goldendale, Washington; Samuel Ramirez Guerra, 31, Brush Prairie; Michael Walton, 42, Portland; Jonathan Mahn, 57, Liberty Lake, Washington; Timothy Evers, 61, Eugene, Oregon; Nicorie Wade, 39, Medina, New York; Colin Ferguson, 41, Beaverton, Oregon; Victor Gurrola, 31, Longview; and James Voreis, 40, Vancouver.
Anyone with information regarding the listed suspects, including information leading to the identity to potential victims involved in these cases, can reach out to the Missing and Exploited Children Task Force at mectf@wsp.wa.gov
"This operation is a powerful example of what we can accomplish when local, state, and federal
agencies come together with a common goal: protecting our most vulnerable," WSP Chief John Batiste said in the news release. "I want to commend every agency involved for their dedication, coordination and relentless pursuit of justice. The safety of our children will always be our top priority, and this operation sends a clear message, child exploitation will not be tolerated in Battle Ground or anywhere else.”
