Gerald Katchmer is charged with using social media to solicit sexually-explicit material from a minor

The Oregon Department of Justice today announced the arrest and arraignment of a Florida man charged with using the internet to solicit sexually-explicit material from a minor.

“The Oregon Department of Justice is committed to ensuring that our children are safe when they go online,” said Attorney General Ellen F. Rosenblum. “We will not tolerate this kind of attempt to exploit their vulnerability.”

Gerald N. Katchmer, Sr. (DOB: 11/01/49) was arraigned today in Marion County Circuit Court on one count each of Online Sexual Corruption of a Child in the Second Degree and Luring a Minor.

The Department of Justice’s Internet Crimes Against Children Unit (ICAC) commenced a year-long investigation into Katchmer after ICAC special agents, using the Facebook profile of a fictitious 14-year old girl, received a “friend” request from a person purporting to be Gerald Katchmer. During the operation, Katchmer allegedly communicated on a daily basis from Florida to Oregon via social media and arranged to fly into Portland to meet with the person he thought to be the 14-year old girl. Special Agents from the Department of Justice arrested the defendant without incident last night, August 1st, as he exited a plane at Portland International Airport.

This case is part of a larger, proactive operation by the Department of Justice’s Internet Crimes Against Children Unit (ICAC) involving sexual predators and their use of social media.

Every criminal defendant is considered innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

The public is strongly encouraged to report information involving on-line sexual exploitation of children to their local law enforcement agency or to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at www.cybertipline.com or by calling 1-800-843-5678. Tips can be submitted anonymously.

The Oregon Department of Justice Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) unit investigates and prosecutes predators who use the internet to target and sexually exploit children. The unit works with district attorneys, law enforcement agencies and regional task forces that investigate online predators. ICAC is the only program in Oregon that is equipped with the necessary resources to catch sex predators throughout the state.

Since its inception in 2005, more than 160 internet predators have been convicted as a result of Oregon ICAC’s work.

Contact:

Oregon Department of Justice: dojmedia@doj.state.or.us, 503-378-6002