Men plead not guilty in Washington sex sting operation

BELLINGHAM – Seven men have pleaded not guilty to accusations stemming from “Net Nanny,” a Washington State Patrol sting operation that targets people going online to solicit sexual contact from minors.

The Bellingham Herald reported the men entered their pleas Friday in Whatcom County, and another 13 men are scheduled to be arraigned Dec. 29.

Undercover detectives posted or responded to Craigslist ads online advertising for meet-ups. Once the men responded, the detectives would either pose as young teenagers, or as parents offering their young children for sexual contact.

Probable cause statements for those arrested detailed graphic sexual conversations between the men and undercover detectives. The men were arrested after showing up to an address supplied by detectives.

It was the 10th sting the State Patrol has conducted. A similar operation in the Tri-Cities last summer resulted in 26 arrests.