Child Exploitation Task Force Executes Search Warrant in Ashland Investigation

ASHLAND, Ore. — A multi-agency child exploitation task force executed a search warrant at an Ashland apartment Wednesday as part of an ongoing investigation involving more than 2,000 suspected child sexual abuse material (CSAM) images, authorities said.

The Southern Oregon Child Exploitation Team (SOCET), working with the Oregon Department of Justice’s Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force and the Ashland Police Department, served the warrant on July 22 at an apartment in the 400 block of Russell Street.

According to investigators, SOCET launched the investigation after receiving more than 2,000 images of suspected child sexual abuse material that were allegedly transmitted directly from an unidentified suspect.

During the search, investigators interviewed potential witnesses and other individuals connected to the case while executing the warrant. Authorities said they are continuing efforts to identify the suspect. Once the individual is identified, investigators plan to submit criminal charges to the Jackson County District Attorney’s Office for consideration.

Several law enforcement agencies assisted with the warrant service, including the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, Homeland Security Investigations, Medford Police Department, Ashland Police Department, Central Point Police Department, Talent Police Department, the Oregon Department of Justice ICAC Task Force, and the Southern Oregon High Tech Crimes Task Force.

Investigators seized multiple digital devices during the operation. The Southern Oregon High Tech Crimes Task Force will conduct forensic examinations of the devices to search for additional evidence related to child exploitation.

SOCET is a multi-agency task force established in June 2020 to investigate and combat child exploitation crimes in Southern Oregon. The task force includes investigators from the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, Medford Police Department, Oregon Department of Justice ICAC Task Force, and Homeland Security Investigations, along with prosecutors from local, state, and federal agencies serving Jackson County.

The Southern Oregon High Tech Crimes Task Force is comprised of investigators from the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Medford Police Department.

The investigation remains active as authorities continue analyzing the seized devices and interviewing witnesses. Officials said no additional information is being released at this time.

Case: ODOJ Case CJD0550-26