HILLSBORO, Ore. (KATU) — Law enforcement officers in the Washington County area arrested five people during an undercover child predator sting operation.
The Washington County Sheriff’s Office and Hillsboro Police Department worked together to conduct the sting, saying investigators used several apps and social sites to pose as underage boys and girls.
“During the mission, several individuals immediately terminated their conversations when they realized they were speaking to someone who explicitly provided their specific age and identified as a minor,” the sheriff’s office said.
They say five others offered to meet “a person they believed to be a child for sex,” and were arrested when they tried to arrive at a meeting location.
The following five men were booked into jail on charges of luring a minor and online sexual corruption of a child.
- Ashwin Chand, 23, of Beaverton
- Brendan Cook, 22, of Portland
- Craig Xiap-Jelkes, 28, of Hillsboro
- Christopher Stone, 38, of Hillsboro
- Robert Gerdes, 60, of Hillsboro
Detectives said they think there could be more victims involved in the case, and they released images of the five people.
If you have any helpful information in the case, contact law enforcement at 503-846-2500.
Law enforcement officials say these sting operations happen regularly, and should serve as a reminder for parents to help keep their children safe online – and to know what sites they are using.
