Three arrested in Kootenai County amid statewide crackdown on child exploitation

BOISE — Twelve people have been arrested for internet crimes against children, including three from Kootenai County, in part of statewide initiative Operation Unhinged led by the Idaho Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.

Kootenai County arrests included 34-year-old Adam Tyler, 33-year-old Shandon Singer and 21-year-old Dustin Angele, according to a press release from the Office of the Attorney General. 

Attorney General Raúl Labrador announced the completion of Operation Unhinged last month. The operation resulted in 12 total arrests for internet crimes against children, doubling the six arrests made last April. 

Seventeen residential search warrants were served in the duration of Operation Unhinged. Three cases were accepted for federal prosecution and the rest will be prosecuted in state court. 

Additional arrests may follow pending forensic reviews of seized devices.

“We’re seeing incredible results with the number of arrests we are making across the state,” said Nicholas Edwards, chief investigator in the Attorney General’s Office. “We are going to keep arresting those who commit these crimes, but we also need to focus on outreach, training and education to protect Idaho’s children.”

The task force also trained 106 law enforcement professionals in April and will continue to direct resources to training law enforcement throughout the state.

The Idaho ICAC Task Force urges the public to report suspected online exploitation to local law enforcement, the ICAC Unit at 208-947-8700, or the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at 1-800-843-5678 or www.cybertipline.com. 

For more information or to access resources, visit ICACIdaho.org.