BEND, Ore. (April 16, 2026) — Bend Police Department arrested 20 adults during a months-long undercover operation aimed at combating human trafficking, sex work, and the online luring of minors.
The investigation focused on identifying individuals attempting to meet underage children for sex. Officers posted advertisements online and posed as minors in text messages and phone conversations.
According to police, more than 200 distinct phone numbers responded to the ads. While many individuals immediately stopped communication after learning they were interacting with someone they believed to be a minor, none of those individuals reported the situation to law enforcement.
Police said they clearly identified themselves as underage during the conversations. Those who were ultimately arrested allegedly agreed to meet in person, in some cases bringing drugs or alcohol to the arranged locations. Upon arrival, they were taken into custody and lodged at the Deschutes County Jail.
During the operation, investigators said several people came forward identifying themselves as victims of sexual abuse involving the suspects. Police are urging anyone who may have been victimized to contact non-emergency dispatch at 541-693-6911.
In addition to the arrests related to minors, officers cited and released eight individuals accused of attempting to patronize adult sex workers. Patronizing a prostitute is classified as a Class A misdemeanor under Oregon law.
Bend Police said the operation also led to a noticeable decrease in demand for sex work in the community, which corresponded with fewer sex workers operating locally during the investigation.
Authorities emphasized that similar operations will continue in an effort to deter potential predators and prevent exploitation. They also encouraged parents and guardians to remain engaged in their children’s online activity, including monitoring apps, using parental controls, and discussing internet safety.
“Children should only communicate with people they know and trust, and keep their accounts private,” police said, adding that online platforms are often used to target vulnerable youth.
Officials stressed that community awareness and vigilance are key to protecting children from online exploitation.
Arrested:
- Mathieu Ackah, 46-year-old Oxnard, Calif., resident: luring a minor for sexual conduct
- Christopher Arroway, 30-year-old Bend resident: purchasing sex with a minor, patronizing a prostitute, attempted rape III (arrest #2)
- Gage Bergeron, 31-year-old Bend resident: online sexual corruption of a child I, luring a minor for sexual conduct, attempted rape III, delivery of a controlled substance to a minor (marijuana)
- David Burnham, 73-year-old Bend resident: online sexual corruption of a child I, luring a minor for sexual conduct, patronizing a prostitute, purchasing sex with a minor, attempted rape III
- Forrest Dodge, 28-year-old Bend resident: online sexual corruption of a child I, luring a minor for sexual conduct, patronizing a prostitute, attempted sodomy III, purchasing sex with a minor
- Cody Fortune, 32-year-old Bend resident: luring a minor for sexual conduct, patronizing a prostitute, attempted rape III
- Ryan Frye, 23-year-old Bend resident: online sexual corruption of a child I, luring a minor for sexual conduct, patronizing a prostitute, purchasing sex with a minor
- Rene Hernandez, 28-year-old Bend resident: online sexual corruption of a child I, luring a minor for sexual conduct, patronizing a prostitute, attempted sodomy III, purchasing sex with a minor, parole violation, endangering the welfare of a minor
- Joshua Huddleston, 45-year-old Bend resident: attempted rape III, attempted delivery of a controlled substance to a minor (marijuana)
- James Kapsalis, 26-year-old Redmond resident: online sexual corruption of a child I, luring a minor for sexual conduct, attempted rape III, delivery of marijuana to a minor
- Miles Leffler, 40-year-old Sisters resident: online sexual corruption of a child I, luring a minor for sexual conduct, patronizing a prostitute, purchasing sex with a minor
- Devin Linker, 34-year-old Redmond resident: luring a minor for sexual conduct, online sexual corruption of a child I, purchasing sex with a minor, attempted rape III, patronizing a prostitute
- Ian McCord, 38-year-old Prineville resident: online sexual corruption of a child I, luring a minor for sexual conduct, attempted sodomy III, attempted rape III
- Jorge Beltran Mendoza, 29-year-old Redmond resident: luring a minor for sexual conduct, online sexual corruption of a child I, purchasing sex with a minor, attempted sodomy III, patronizing a prostitute
- Waynerd Montgomery, 47-year-old Redmond resident: online sexual corruption of a child I, luring a minor for sexual conduct, patronizing a prostitute, purchasing sex with a minor, attempted rape III, escape III, criminal mischief III, resisting arrest
- Jacob Schneider, 36-year-old Bend resident: luring a minor for sexual conduct, online sexual corruption of a child I, purchasing sex with a minor, attempted rape III, patronizing a prostitute
- Connor Strupith, 22-year-old Redmond resident: online sexual corruption of a child I, luring a minor for sexual conduct, attempted furnishing liquor to a minor
- XXXXXXXXXXX, 41-year-old Bend resident: purchasing sex with a minor, patronizing a prostitute, attempted rape III
- Eduardo Vega-Ruiz, 22-year-old Madras resident: online sexual corruption of a child I, patronizing a prostitute, attempted sodomy III, purchasing sex with a minor, attempted rape III, escape III, attempt to elude (felony), attempted assault on a public safety officer, reckless driving
- Dylan Zook, 20-year-old La Pine resident: online sexual corruption of a child I, luring a minor for sexual conduct, patronizing a prostitute, attempted sodomy III, purchasing sex with a minor
During the course of this investigation, Bend Police also arrested eight people who attempted to patronize adult sex workers. They were cited and released. Patronizing a prostitute is a Class A misdemeanor.
- Benjamin Adams, 43-year-old Las Vegas, Nev., resident: patronizing a prostitute
- Christopher Arroway, 30-year-old Bend resident: patronizing a prostitute (arrest #1)
- Dennis Dewitt, 71-year-old Bend resident: patronizing a prostitute
- Zachary Douglas, 33-year-old Bend resident: patronizing a prostitute
- Caleb Gump, 24-year-old Bend resident: patronizing a prostitute
- Thomas Myers, 38-year-old Bend resident: patronizing a prostitute
- Tenzin Norbu Sherpa, 37-year-old Bend resident: patronizing a prostitute
- Casey Vitale, 36-year-old Lebanon resident: patronizing a prostitute
About the Author
Discover more from Right Now Oregon
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
