OTHELLO, WA – The Othello Police Department announced Wednesday the arrest of a suspect following an extensive investigation into the possession and distribution of child sexual abuse material.
The investigation began after the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children submitted a cyber tip to local authorities. Due to the severity of the case, detectives prioritized the probe, which ultimately led to the arrest of Juan Hernandez-Arciniega on September 10, 2025. He was booked on a charge of dealing in depictions of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct under RCW 9.68A.050.
According to police, the case involved a multi-agency collaboration that included the Othello Police Department, the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, the Department of Homeland Security, and the Benton County Sheriff’s Office. K9 Blaze, a specially trained electronic storage detection dog, played a key role in locating evidence during the operation.
Officials said the investigation remains active, and additional charges could be filed as evidence continues to be reviewed.
In a statement, the Othello Police Department emphasized its commitment to protecting children from exploitation and holding offenders accountable for such crimes.