LIBERTY LAKE, Wash. – A joint sting operation in Liberty Lake resulted in the arrest of 12 individuals, Including Michael Lewis, who’s now facing charges of attempted rape of a child in the second degree.
Lewis’s father Eugene Lewis shared a statement during his son’s first appearance on Thursday.
“I just want to say prior to this, things went well,” Eugene Lewis said. “I have no idea how the devil got ahold of him, but we need to work on it your Honor.”
Lewis’s father had expressed confusion over the charges.
“This morning, we got a call and understood that he was arrested for charges that I don’t even understand,” Eugene Lewis said.
According to court documents, Lewis attempted to communicate with the mother of a 9-year-old and a 13-year-old.
The documents detail how he made plans to meet with the mother and the minors in Liberty Lake, offering $400 for sexually explicit acts with the children.
Lewis was only one of 12 arrested in the operation.
The documents revealed that others involved also sent messages seeking sexual services from minors.
During first appearances, Deputy Prosecutor Anastasiya Krotoff, says the serious nature of the case required a high payment for bond.
“Again, I’d ask that the court impose $100,000 bond in this case based on serious community safety concerns,” Krotoff said.
The operation was conducted in part over online messaging services.
A child communicating with a predator, a nightmare for many parents.
The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children advises parents to have open conversations with their children about online boundaries. They recommend knowing who your child is communicating with online and empowering them to say no to unwanted contact. Parents can also check the sexual offender registry in their area through the state’s website.
The 12 arrested are awaiting their arraignments set for next week.
