A 69-year-old man is in custody in Mason County after deputies said a tip from a civilian watchdog group led them to a home near Northeast Trudeau Mountain Road. He was arrested Saturday and booked into the Mason County Jail on a charge of communication with a minor for immoral purposes, with investigators saying more charges could still be coming.
According to KIRO 7 News Seattle, Mason County Sheriff's Office deputies arrested the man at a residence in the area of Northeast Trudeau Mountain Road. The outlet reports the investigation began in early October, after Predator Poachers of Washington alerted law enforcement to concerns about online communications. Per the same account, the group reported communications between the man and someone believed to be a 13-year-old girl, an allegation attributed to MCSO.
From Tip to Arrest
A patrol deputy conducted a follow-up investigation after receiving the tip and ultimately developed probable cause to arrest the man, the station's report states. Deputies then served a search warrant at the Trudeau Mountain Road home on Saturday. The arrest itself happened without incident, and officers booked the suspect into the Mason County Jail afterward.
MCSO deputies are continuing to investigate potential additional offenses, per the outlet's reporting. The case was documented in a KIRO 7 article authored by Julie Berg.
What the Charge Could Mean
The charge the man reportedly faces, communication with a minor for immoral purposes, is defined under Washington state law. Per the Washington State Legislature's RCW 9.68A.090, the offense becomes a class C felony if the person has previously been convicted under that same section, of a specified felony sexual offense, or of another felony. It remains unknown whether any of those conditions apply in this case, and no court records, formal charging document, plea, or hearing date have been made available.
The man's identity, any statement from him or a representative, and the specific contents of the communications investigators reviewed have not been disclosed. How the tip was originally made and how investigators verified the reported age of the other party involved also have not been detailed. As the Mason County Sheriff's Office continues to investigate potential additional offenses, this remains an active and developing case.
