$1 million bail for Washington man charged with enticement

COEUR d’ALENE — A Washington man arrested during a special operation targeted at preventing sex crimes is being held on $1 million bail.

Christopher D. Hayes, 40, of Liberty Lake, Wash., is charged with enticing a child through use of the internet or other communication device, a felony punishable by up to 15 years in prison. 

Police arrested Hayes last Friday on the charge, as well as on three outstanding warrants, according to a news release. Hayes was wanted out of Washington for rape of a child, as well as charges of driving under the influence and possession of drug paraphernalia in Kootenai County. 

Multiple area law enforcement agencies — including the Post Falls, Coeur d’Alene, Rathdrum and Liberty Lake police departments — participated in a specialized training and conducted a targeted arrest between Jan. 29 and 31. The Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office and Idaho State Police also participated in the operation, which aimed to “proactively intervene, interrupt and avert sex trafficking, online exploitation and sex abuse,” according to the Post Falls Police Department. 

“I’m proud that, through partnerships with our fellow law enforcement agencies, the Kootenai County prosecutor’s office and private organizations, we were able to make this arrest and protect children,” Post Falls Police Chief Greg McLean said in a news release. 

Hayes is being held on $1 million bail for his out-of-state warrant, according to court records, and on $500,000 bail for the enticement charge. He remains in the Kootenai County jail.