LIBERTY LAKE, WA – A multi-agency child exploitation investigation led by the Washington State Patrol (WSP) resulted in 13 arrests across Washington and Idaho this week. The coordinated operation, dubbed “Operation Liberty Lake,” targeted individuals allegedly involved in the sexual abuse and exploitation of children.
The sting was organized by the WSP’s Missing and Exploited Children Task Force (MECTF), an affiliate of the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC), in partnership with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). Local, state, and federal agencies from both states also took part, including the Spokane County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Washington, and numerous police and sheriff’s departments.
According to WSP, the operation identified and apprehended suspects believed to have attempted contact with minors for sexual purposes or possessed child sexual abuse material. The Spokane County Prosecutor’s Office and federal prosecutors will review the cases to determine final charges.
Arrested Individuals
The following suspects were taken into custody during the operation:
- Michael Ferguson, 51, Spokane, WA
- Michael Lewis, 53, Fernwood, ID
- Ted Whittaker, 54, Coeur d’Alene, ID
- Jennifer Whittaker, 54, Coeur d’Alene, ID
- Rocky Dailey, 63, Greenacres, WA
- Trenton Watkins, 24, Spokane, WA
- Marco Bosnich, 42, Spokane, WA
- John Johnson, 37, Chattaroy, WA
- Wesley Georgius, 62, Coeur d’Alene, ID
- Ilijah Karasek, 24, Sandpoint, ID
- Kyle White, 31, Spokane, WA
- Dylan White, 33, Rathdrum, ID
- Eric Boomer-White, 21, Spokane, WA
The crimes under investigation include Rape of a Child in the First and Second Degree (attempt), Communication with a Minor for Immoral Purposes, and Sexual Exploitation of a Minor under Washington law.
Coordinated Multi-Agency Effort
Agencies involved in Operation Liberty Lake included law enforcement from Benton, Chelan, Kittitas, Spokane, and Stevens counties, along with departments in Liberty Lake, Kennewick, Richland, Seattle, Yakima, and Post Falls. Federal partners such as the FBI, U.S. Border Patrol, and Homeland Security Investigations also assisted.
WSP Chief John R. Batiste said protecting children remains one of the agency’s top priorities.
“Our detectives worked tirelessly with local and federal partners to identify and arrest those who prey on the most vulnerable,” Batiste said. “Protecting children from exploitation is one of the most important responsibilities we have, and we will continue to pursue these offenders relentlessly.”
Liberty Lake Police Chief Damon Simmons praised the collaboration between agencies, saying the joint operation helps strengthen enforcement and prevention efforts.
“Protecting our community, especially our most vulnerable, from sexual predators is one of our highest priorities,” Simmons said. “This collaboration strengthens our ability to hold offenders accountable and keep our neighborhoods safe.”
Background
The Washington State Patrol’s Missing and Exploited Children Task Force was created to identify and rescue exploited children, investigate child exploitation cases, and apprehend offenders. Since its first operation in 2015, MECTF has been involved in more than 360 arrests and numerous child recoveries.
Anyone with information about the individuals arrested or potential victims is asked to contact MECTF at mectf@wsp.wa.gov.
For more information about the task force or to support its work, visit www.wsp.wa.gov/crime/mectf.
