The vigilante group had accused Albany police of being “pedophile protectors” when police did not immediately arrest a man accused of child sex crimes back in March.
PORTLAND, Ore. — A civilian vigilante group in Albany helped lead to the arrest of a man accused of child sex crimes, though police had warned against the group’s actions.
Charles Mellick, 34, now faces charges for online sexual corruption of a child in the first and second degree. Both crimes, detectives believe, occurred on multiple days between March 16-21. Mellick is being held in the Benton County Jail.
Albany police said this was not the first time they had been contacted by the group, which tends to pose as minors in an attempt to set up meetings for their social media channel. It had met with the group on another occasion to explain how to proper procedures for evidence, none of which occurred on March 21, Albany police said.
Around 11 a.m., the group called 911 to report a “sexual predator sting” that they were conducting inside the Walmart store in Albany. Dispatch told the group that they needed more information before sending an officer, and the caller said they were confronting the alleged perpetrator anyway, according to Albany police.
Dispatch then informed Albany police that the person the group was confronting had a felony arrest warrant. Officers were then dispatched and Mellick was arrested for it and taken into custody. However, the group was dissatisfied that Albany police did not arrest him on online corruption charges relating to their operation. This resulted in a scene inside the Walmart store, where the group accused police of being “pedophile protectors” and were forced to leave the store.
The group then showed up the Albany Police Department, demanding a case number and explanation for not investigating their case. According to Albany police, one of their sergeants then tried to explain the reporting process and ways that the group can submit their allegations and evidence via a QR code on a business card.
Police said these interactions were filmed and posted on social media with portions livestreamed and that some of the content was edited to support their accusations and posted to the group’s website. Multiple police officers and professional staff received “aggressive online and phone harassment” in response, Albany police said.
“We understand society’s frustration with the gravity of crimes against children and sentencing practices in our State, but these crimes must be investigated thoroughly and relentlessly to get the criminal justice outcome we all want,” Albany police said. “If proper procedures are not followed, these delicate cases could potentially result in the inability to prosecute the offender.”
During an official investigation, Albany police said it found evidence that Mellick contacted whom he believed to be a 13-year-old girl and shared a narrative account of sexual conduct he wanted to do with said girl. Other crimes were uncovered during the investigation, which may lead to further criminal charges, Albany police said.
“Our officers acted appropriately and followed best practices. We investigate these crimes the right way to bring about justice, not make money on social media platforms,” Chief Marcia Harnden said.