5/25/2024
Sandy, OR. – Official Release: On Friday May 17th, 2024, the Sandy Police Department, with the assistance of various law enforcement partners, conducted a child predator sting where police used a variety of social media platforms to pose as underage boys and girls. Several people contacted the undercover investigators online and offered to meet a person they believed to be a child for sex.
Sandy Police arrested Mr. Alexander Ortiz Soto, age 29 of Beaverton. Mr. Ortiz Soto was transported to the Clackamas County Jail where he is being held on charges of Luring a Minor, and Online Sexual Corruption of a Minor in the First Degree.
Following the sting, investigation continued, and on May 24th, The Dalles Police Department arrested Mr. George Leonard Paasch, age 72 of The Dalles. Mr. Paasch was lodged at Northern Oregon Corrections on the charges of Luring a Minor and Online Sexual Corruption of a Child in the Second Degree.
Officers developed probable cause in several other cases and will continue to investigate, with more arrests likely.
The Sandy Police Department would like to thank Milwaukie Police Department, West Linn Police Department, Canby Police Department, Lake Oswego Police Department, Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office, Oregon State Police, and our Federal Law Enforcement partners for their assistance with the sting.
Local law enforcement agencies regularly conduct undercover operations, both full-scale stings and day-to-day chats, targeting child predators. Parents are encouraged to help their children be safe online and to be aware of the websites and mobile applications their kids are using. A resource for starting this difficult, yet important, conversation is available through Thorn, a nonprofit organization that combats child sexual abuse. (https://parents.thorn.org/)
If you know of any potential additional victims of these crimes, please contact the Sandy Police Department tip line at (503) 489-2195.
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