9 in Kitsap County arrested on child sex charges in undercover operation

OLYMPIA -- Undercover officers set up an apparent two-week sting operation and arrested nine people in Kitsap County on various child sex abuse charges, the Washington State Patrol said Friday.

The nine were charged with either sexual abuse of a child, possession of child pornography or sexual exploitation of a child, the State Patrol said in a news release.

"Law enforcement officers, acting in an undercover capacity, communicated with individuals interested in sexual exploitation of children," the release said. "The operation generated hundreds of responses, with nine individuals agreeing to meet at a predesignated location and were ultimately arrested."

No names or other details were provided.

The release said the operation was a collaborative effort involving the State Patrol’s Criminal Investigative Division, Investigative Assistance Division; Kitsap County Sheriff’s Office; Homeland Security; Federal Bureau of Investigation; and Kitsap County prosecutors.