BOISE — Five men have been arrested in connection with a joint law enforcement operation that targeted child sex abuse in northern Idaho over the weekend.
The project, titled “Operation Lonely Heart,” was a cooperative effort between federal, state and local agencies. The Department of Homeland Security led the operation with assistance from the Attorney General’s Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC)Unit.
Of the five arrested, three are Washington residents and two are from Idaho. All were booked into the Kootenai County Jail.
They are:
Thomas R. Cartwright, 54, of Post Falls
Richard Peterson, 24, of Rathdrum
Carl E. Ness, 54, of Spokane
Tyrel M. Clark, 37, of Spokane
Kilian J. Hoyne, 20, of Spokane Valley
All are charged with enticing a child through use of the internet or other communication device.
More than 60 police officers, investigators and federal agents were part of the operation, including the Post Falls Police Department, the Kootenai County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Idaho, Washington State Patrol, Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office, Coeur d’Alene Police Department, FBI, U.S. Marshals Service and U.S. Postal Inspection Service.
“Thanks to law enforcement’s cooperative efforts, we are able to push back against sexual predators who wish to victimize young people. Children in the region are safer today as a result of ‘Operation Lonely Heart,’” Wasden said.
No details of the investigation were released.
