Twelve individuals were arrested in Battle Ground, Washington, over the weekend during a coordinated law enforcement operation targeting suspected child predators.

Authorities said the arrests stemmed from an undercover effort aimed at identifying and apprehending individuals attempting to sexually exploit minors online.

The operation, known as Operation Battle Ground, was led by the Washington State Patrol’s Missing and Exploited Children Task Force (MECTF) in partnership with Clark County law enforcement agencies and multiple supporting organizations.

Officials confirmed that the Clark County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office will now review each case to determine the formal charges to be filed.

According to investigators, the suspects are facing potential charges that include attempted first-degree rape of a child, attempted second-degree rape of a child, and communication with a minor for immoral purposes.

The arrests followed several days of undercover work where suspects allegedly sought to arrange contact with children for criminal purposes.

Since its establishment in 2015, MECTF has conducted similar operations throughout the state, resulting in more than 350 arrests and the removal of numerous children from harmful environments.

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The task force operates as part of the Internet Crimes Against Children program, which brings together local, state, and federal agencies to investigate and stop online exploitation.

“These targeted operations underscore the alarming extent of predators seeking to exploit children,” said Battle Ground Police Chief Dennis Flynn in a statement.

“The collaborative work of the Missing and Exploited Children Task Force, along with the combined efforts of the twenty other law enforcement agencies, is critical to confronting these crimes. We remain steadfast in working alongside our partners to safeguard our youth from those who would exploit them.”

Washington State Patrol Chief John Batiste also commented on the results of the operation, emphasizing the importance of cross-agency coordination.

“This operation is a powerful example of what we can accomplish when local, state, and federal agencies come together with a common goal: protecting our most vulnerable.

The safety of our children will always be our top priority, and this operation sends a clear message: child exploitation will not be tolerated in Battle Ground or anywhere else,” Batiste said.

Authorities identified the 12 men taken into custody as:

• John Yee, 48, Portland, Oregon
• Shadrick Monen, 24, Salem, Oregon
• Bakary Berete, 28, Portland, Oregon
• Bryce Bennett, 43, Goldendale, Washington
• Samuel Ramirez Guerra, 31, Brush Prairie, Washington
• Michael Walton, 42, Portland, Oregon
• Jonathan Mahn, 57, Liberty Lake, Washington
• Timothy Evers, 61, Eugene, Oregon
• Nicorie Wade, 39, Medina, New York
• Colin Ferguson, 41, Beaverton, Oregon
• Victor Gurrola, 31, Longview, Washington
• James Voreis, 40, Vancouver, Washington

Officials confirmed that each suspect was arrested without incident and is currently being held as prosecutors move forward with case reviews.

The investigation remains ongoing as digital evidence collected during the operation is examined.

Operation Battle Ground is the latest in a series of targeted enforcement actions by MECTF and its partners, which aim to reduce online child exploitation and bring offenders to justice.

Law enforcement officials said additional operations are expected in the future as part of the ongoing effort to safeguard children across Washington and surrounding states.