A Portland Public Schools teacher has been taken into custody on suspicion of attempting to lure a minor, an investigation led by multiple law enforcement agencies has revealed.
The inquiry into the teacher's activities began with a covert chat operation by a Yuba City Police Department detective, who, in the guise of a 13-year-old, engaged in conversation with a man from Portland. These exchanges were flagged for their sexual content and discussions about arranging a meeting. The Portland Police Bureau's Internet Crimes Against Children Unit stepped in following a tip from their Californian counterparts.
According to a press release from the Portland Police Bureau, the suspect, identified as 38-year-old Craig Douglas-Meyers, was apprehended on the morning of Friday, August 23rd. His Northeast Portland home was searched by the ICAC Unit with backup from the Special Emergency Reaction Team, Homeland Security Investigations agents in Portland, and a gadget-detecting police dog from the Milwaukie Police Department.
The arrest led to Douglas-Meyers, who is a teacher at Hosford Middle School, being booked into the Multnomah County Detention Center on a felony charge of Luring a Minor. Given the suspect's position of authority and his overt attempts to engage with someone he believed to be a child, authorities are concerned that there could be more victims. In light of this, they have released Douglas-Meyers' photo to the public.
Community members who have information or concerns are being urged to come forward to assist in the ongoing investigation. The Portland Police Bureau is actively seeking out additional individuals who may have been contacted by Douglas-Meyers under similar inappropriate circumstances. He remains in custody as inquiries continue.
