The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Washington has highlighted several significant prosecutions related to crimes against children over the past year. U.S. Attorney Vanessa R. Waldref stated, "Cases involving the abuse of young children are some of the most difficult matters that my office handles." She praised her team for their dedication in achieving justice for vulnerable victims.
These cases were brought to federal court through collaboration with the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force Program (ICAC). The ICAC program assists state and local law enforcement in addressing technology-facilitated child sexual exploitation by providing resources such as forensic support, training, victim services, and community education.
U.S. Attorney Waldref acknowledged the essential role of state and local partners in these efforts: “Without the dedication of our state and local partners through the ICAC, many of those responsible for these terrible crimes may not have been held to account.”
Several notable cases were prosecuted this year:
- Michael Emineth and Malesa Hale received sentences of 30 years and 28 years respectively for sexually abusing a minor and recording it.
- Robert Wayne Hutton was sentenced to 20 years for secretly filming a victim using a hidden camera.
- Rick Lynn Johnson received a five-year sentence and was ordered to pay $60,000 in restitution after downloading and sharing child sexual abuse images.
- Dallas Michael Shuler faced charges related to producing and distributing child sexual abuse material while working at Riverside Elementary School.
- Gerald Alan Nott was sentenced to 15 years for distributing over 1,000 files depicting child sexual abuse material.
- Lucas Murphy received a 20-year sentence after kidnapping his victim from Eastern Washington.
- Koby Don Williams was sentenced to more than 11 years after attempting to meet an underage girl for sex.
- Tony J. Bolen and Casey Allen Greer were found guilty of producing child sexual abuse material; sentencing is scheduled for April 2025.
- Nathan Roy Stout received a 15-year sentence following his second offense involving child sexual abuse material.
- Craig Michael Berry was sentenced to 20 years after enticing teens into sending nude images in exchange for substances.
“These examples demonstrate the Department of Justice’s commitment to prosecuting difficult cases,” said U.S. Attorney Waldref. She emphasized ongoing efforts with ICAC partners to prevent child victimization.
These prosecutions are part of Project Safe Childhood, an initiative launched by the Department of Justice in May 2006 aimed at combating child sexual exploitation online. For more information on Project Safe Childhood, visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.