State troopers with the Washington State Patrol’s High Tech Crimes Unit arrested a 49-year-old Olympia man after seizing what they describe as a large collection of digital files that appear to show the sexual abuse of minors, along with videos of people secretly recorded without their knowledge. The suspect, identified by authorities as Robert D. Welliever, was taken into custody during a residential search on March 30 and booked into the Thurston County Jail, where his bail was set at $100,000. Prosecutors have filed charges tied to possession of child sexual abuse material and alleged recording offenses, and investigators say their forensic review of the seized devices is still underway. Detectives believe there may be additional victims and are urging anyone with information to come forward.
How Investigators Say They Uncovered It
The Washington State Patrol’s High Tech Crimes Unit says the case started in December, when detectives identified suspected sharing of child sexual abuse material on a peer-to-peer network tied to an Olympia IP address. Investigators obtained a subscriber warrant to connect that activity to a specific residence, then followed up with a search of the home. The March 30 operation brought in an FBI SWAT team along with the WSP Field Operations Bureau and the WSP Criminal Investigation Division, according to a Washington State Patrol Facebook post.
Charges And Court Status
According to court records and local reporting, prosecutors have charged 49-year-old Robert D. Welliever with first-degree possession of depictions of a minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct, along with related voyeurism counts. He appeared in Thurston County Superior Court, where a judge set bail at $100,000, and he entered a not-guilty plea at arraignment, as reported by AOL News.
Evidence Seized And Alleged Recordings
Forensic examiners reported finding dozens of video files and other material on a laptop and external drives taken from the residence. Detectives say several of those videos appear to show a camera positioned toward the private areas of children and women in public places around Thurston County. Many of the clips were allegedly recorded at a discount store on Sleater-Kinney Road SE, according to the same Washington State Patrol Facebook post.
Legal Implications
Under Washington law, first-degree possession of depictions of a minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct is a class B felony, and first-degree voyeurism is a class C felony. Both are serious offenses that can result in prison time and, in some cases, sex-offender registration. The specific statutory language is outlined in RCW 9.68A.070 and RCW 9A.44.115.
How To Report Tips
Investigators say anyone with information related to the case should contact WSP Detective Bradley Beattie. The Washington State Patrol post and local coverage list a phone number and email address for tips. Officials have said they expect additional charges as the forensic work continues, and they are asking anyone who recognizes people or locations in the seized material to reach out to investigators, according to AOL News.
The case remains an active investigation. Prosecutors are expected to review additional evidence as troopers complete their digital analysis, and officials say they are withholding further details about potential victims and the precise locations depicted in the files while the probe is still in progress.
