Cops arrest eight men in underage sex sting in Snohomish County

SNOHOMISH COUNTY, Wash. --  Authorities arrested eight men over the weekend in an underage sex sting operation in Snohomish County.

According to the sheriff's office, the men, between ages 26 and 60, responded to online ads placed by undercover detectives posing as a 15-year-old girl.

"One suspect, a 30 year-old Seattle man, sent photographs of himself driving a school bus and showed up to meet undercover detectives still driving the bus," said Shari Ireton, a spokesperson for the Snohomish County Sheriff's Office. "A second suspect, a 34 year-old Bothell man, admitted to undercover detectives that he was a teacher."

The operation began last Thursday night and ended just after midnight Sunday. Detectives are processing evidence collected at the scene including vehicles and cell phones.

“Protecting our county’s most vulnerable citizens – our children – will always remain our number one public safety priority. Getting these predators off our streets makes our communities safer,” said Sheriff Ty Trenary.  “I’m especially thankful for the partnership and generous support we continue to receive from U.S. Marshals, making this type of operation possible.”

The sheriff's office  arrested:

“The U.S. Marshals Service has a long history of partnering with local law enforcement agencies.  Our relationship with the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office has directly resulted in multiple arrests of sexual predators.  Operation Anvil is just another example of what partnering together can accomplish in keeping our communities safer,” said Chief Deputy, Jacob Green.