10/04/2025
In Local NEWS 📰
Operation Liberty Lake Child Exploitation Operation Leads to 13 Arrests
Media release from the Washington State Patrol:
Fourteen individuals were taken into custody in Liberty Lake this week as part of a multi-agency operation identifying those allegedly involved in the sexual abuse and exploitation of
children.
The multi-day operation involved the Washington State Patrol (WSP), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in partnership with several other local and federal agencies, and several partner agencies. The Spokane County Prosecuting Attorney's Office and the Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA) will review the cases to determine which potential criminal charges will be filed.
Dubbed “Operation Liberty Lake,” this operation was spearheaded by the WSP’s Missing and Exploited Children Task Force (MECTF), an Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) affiliate.
Since the first operation in August 2015, MECTF has netted over 360 arrests and removed numerous children from danger across the state because of police intervention.
“Protecting our community, especially our most vulnerable, from sexual predators is one of our highest priorities. Liberty Lake PD is proud to host this operation and work closely with the Washington State Patrol’s Missing and Exploited Children Task Force, and other local and federal partners to ensure a coordinated and proactive approach to enforcement, monitoring, and prevention. This collaboration strengthens our ability to hold offenders accountable and keep our neighborhoods safe,” said Liberty Lake Police Chief Damon Simmons.
“Our detectives worked tirelessly with our local and federal partners to identify and arrest those who prey on the most vulnerable in our community," said Chief John Batiste of the Washington State Patrol. "Protecting children from exploitation is one of the most important responsibilities we have as law enforcement officers, and we will continue to pursue these offenders relentlessly.”
Primary crimes investigated are:
• RCW 9A.44.073 – R**e of a child in the first-degree – attempt
• RCW 9A.44.076 – R**e of a child in the second degree – attempt
RCW 9.68A.090 – Communication with a minor for immoral purposes
• RCW 9.68A.040 – Sexual Exploitation of a minor
The names of the individuals taken into custody during the operation were:
• FERGUSON, Michael, 51, Spokane, WA
• LEWIS, Michael, 53, Fernwood, ID
• WHITTAKER, Ted, 54, Coeur d’ Alene, ID
• WHITTAKER, Jennifer, 54, Coeur d’ Alene, ID
• DAILEY, Rocky, 63, Greenacres, WA
• WATKINS, Trenton, 24, Spokane, WA
• BOSNICH, Marco, 42, Spokane, WA
• JOHNSON, John, 37, Chattaroy, WA
• GEORGIUS, Wesley, 62, Coeur d’ Alene, ID
• KARASEK, Ilijah, 24, Sandpoint, ID
• WHITE, Kyle, 31, Spokane, WA
• WHITE, Dylan, 33, Rathdrum, ID
• BOOMER-WHITE, Eric, 21, Spokane, WA
Anyone with information related to the suspects listed, or information leading to the identity of victims potentially involved in these cases, please contact METCF at mectf@wsp.wa.gov.
The collaborative effort involving more than 20 dedicated law enforcement officers, agents, and staff led to the success of this operation. Those agencies involved include:
• Washington State Patrol
• Homeland Security Investigations
• Benton County Sheriff’s Office
• Chelan County Sheriff’s Office
• Federal Bureau of Investigation
• Kennewick Police Department
• Kittitas County Sheriff’s Office
• Liberty Lake Police Department
• Othello Police Department
• Post Falls Police Department
• Richland Police Department
• Seattle Police Department
• Spokane County Prosecutors Office
• Spokane County Sheriff’s Office
• Spokane Police Department
• Stevens County Sheriff’s Office
• US Attorney’s Office (Eastern District of Washington)
• US Border Patrol
• Washington Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC)
• Yakima Police Department
MECTF is a state law enforcement agency governed by RCW 13.60.110, and not designated as a 501(c)(3) charity. All donations made to MECTF go directly to MECTF and are used explicitly in the identification and safe recovery of exploited children, the investigation of those exploiting children, and successful apprehension and the prosecution thereof. Please consult with your tax professional or the Internal Revenue Service to determine if your donation is tax exempt.
