Press Release from Post Falls Police Department
POST FALLS, Idaho — On January 29th, 30th, and 31st, the Post Falls Police Department (PFPD) along with the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office, Idaho State Police, Coeur d’Alene Police Department, Rathdrum Police Department, and Liberty Lake Police Department, participated in a specialized training and conducted a targeted arrest. The operation was focused on protecting the most vulnerable members of our community, children. Specifically, law enforcement was seeking to proactively intervene, interrupt, and avert sex trafficking, online exploitation, and sex abuse.
As a result of the operation, Christopher Hayes, a 40-year-old male from Liberty Lake, WA, was arrested and booked into the Kootenai County Public Safety Building for Idaho Code 18-1509A: Enticing a Child Through Use of the Internet of Other Communication Device. Hayes was also booked on three outstanding warrants. One was a Washington state warrant for Rape of a Child. The other two warrants were out of Kootenai County for DUI and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Hayes has connections to Post Falls, Liberty Lake, and Rathdrum.
Chief McLean had this to say about the operation: “I’m proud that through partnerships with our fellow law enforcement agencies, the Kootenai County Prosecutors Office, and private organizations we were able to make this arrest and protect children. It saddens me that evil such as this exists, but I am pleased there is at least one less predator out there now.”
The training and arrest operations were made possible by “The Innocent,” an organization that provides free training, technology, and resources to law enforcement agencies throughout the United States. A member of the Post Falls Police Investigations Division also serves with The Innocent on his time off. For more information, visit theinnocent.org.
The Post Falls Police Department organized and hosted the training and subsequent arrest operation, which took place over three days. The Innocent provided technology, instruction, and support on how to conduct investigations and operations. The three-day training event culminated in field operations which resulted in the arrest of Hayes.
Detective Captain Mark Brantl said, “Investigations like this can be challenging and labor intensive. By using the resources The Innocent brings to the table and partnering with our local agencies, we were able to learn new skills, network with fellow investigators, and put several days of training to use in the field while making an arrest.”
The Post Falls Police Department would like to encourage parents to speak with their children about on-line safety, specifically when using social media, messaging apps, and gaming.
If you witness a crime occurring, please call 911 or, in a non-emergency situation, (208) 773-3517. Crimes not in progress and tips can be reported under “Crime Tips” on our website.
If you have any information, questions, or comments you may contact the Post Falls Police Department at (208) 773-3517 or contact the Police Department through our website www.postfallspolice.com.
