The Washington Legislature is looking at ways to ensure sting operations are conducted in a way that doesn't infringe on the rights of those speaking with investigators. One such sting operation led to the conviction of Koby Don Williams, a former law enforcement officer who was arrested after traveling to Othello to meet a person he thought was an underage girl, but who turned out to law enforcement themselves.
February 3, 2025
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Fake kids, real charges: Lawmakers push additional oversight for net nanny stings
(The Center Square) – The Washington State Patrol has leveraged “net nanny” operations since 2015 to arrest hundreds of alleged child predators, but state lawmakers have concerns that could redirect its efforts. Senate lawmakers moved legislation out of committee on Thursday that would reestablish the WSP’s Missing and Exploited Children Task Force, or MECTF, advisory board. While the task force still exists, the Legislature terminated its oversight board nearly a decade ago.