Recent Child Predator Arrests in Portland: An Overview

4 min readJun 25, 2024

From Sting Operations to Viral Confrontations: Portland’s Ongoing Battle Against Child Exploitation

Portland, OR — June 24, 2024

Portland, Oregon, has seen a series of significant law enforcement actions targeting child predators in recent months. These efforts, involving local, state, and federal agencies, have led to multiple arrests and have highlighted the ongoing battle against child exploitation in the region. Here is a detailed look at some of the key incidents:

June 2024: Arrest of a Suspected Active Child Predator

On June 4, 2024, the Portland Police Bureau (PPB), in collaboration with federal and state agencies, arrested a 60-year-old man who had traveled from Texas to Portland with the intent of engaging in sexually explicit conduct with a minor. The suspect had been in online communication with a teenage girl in Portland, sharing explicit images and planning to meet her. The coordinated effort involved the Homeland Security Investigation’s Child Exploitation Group, Oregon State Police, and other local agencies, culminating in the suspect’s arrest before he could make contact with the girl.

May 2024: Undercover Sting Operation in Sandy

In late May 2024, Sandy Police, along with other law enforcement agencies, conducted an undercover sting operation targeting child predators. The operation led to the arrest of two men: Alexander Soto, 29, from Beaverton, and George Paasch, 72, from The Dalles. Both were charged with luring a minor and first-degree online sexual corruption of a minor. The sting involved officers posing as underage boys and girls on social media platforms, prompting the suspects to reach out for sexual encounters.

December 2023: Sentencing of a Child Predator

In December 2023, a man was sentenced to 20 years in prison without the possibility of parole for crimes related to child exploitation. The details of the case were disturbing, underscoring the severity of the offenses and the importance of stringent legal consequences for such crimes.

September 2022: Arrest of Five Men in a Child Predator Sting

In September 2022, five men from the Portland area were arrested following a child predator sting operation. This operation, like others, involved undercover officers posing as minors online to catch individuals attempting to engage in illegal activities with children. The arrests were part of a broader effort to crack down on child exploitation in the region.

Viral Incident on the Portland Waterfront

A recent child predator sting operation on the Portland waterfront has sparked significant controversy, particularly due to the actions of a passerby who intervened during the confrontation. The incident, which took place on June 20, 2024, was organized by the group “People v. Preds,” known for their efforts to expose child predators through undercover operations.

Paul A. Szypula 🇺🇸 on X: “Predator gets busted trying to meet a 14-year-old girl in Portland, Oregon. As he’s getting interrogated, a woke woman walks over and says: “I just wanted to make sure that the brown person was safe.” This is not satire. https://t.co/eC3UfztVLT" / X

The Incident

The sting operation targeted a man who had allegedly been texting and attempting to meet a 14-year-old girl. As the confrontation unfolded, a video captured the moment when a white woman intervened, expressing concern for the suspect. The video quickly went viral on X (formerly Twitter), drawing widespread attention and debate.

The Controversial Intervention

The controversy centers around the woman’s comments during the confrontation. In the video, she is heard saying, “I just wanted to make sure that the brown person was safe,” referring to the suspect. This statement has been interpreted by many as an attempt to protect the suspect based on his race, rather than addressing the serious allegations against him.

Public Reaction

The public reaction to the video has been polarized. Some have criticized the woman for seemingly prioritizing the suspect’s safety over the potential victim’s well-being. Critics argue that her actions reflect a misguided form of activism that overlooks the gravity of the crime being addressed. On the other hand, some supporters believe she was attempting to ensure that the suspect’s rights were not violated during the confrontation.

Conclusion

These incidents reflect the persistent and multifaceted efforts by law enforcement and community groups to combat child exploitation in Portland. The cooperation between various agencies and the use of undercover operations have proven effective in identifying and apprehending predators, ensuring the safety of children in the region. The viral video on the Portland waterfront serves as a stark reminder of the dangers that still exist and the importance of continued vigilance and proactive measures.