Prineville man’s arrest points to dangers of online predators

A 52-year-old Prineville man was arrested on charges he met a Prineville juvenile online and entered into a sexual relationship. Police said Friday the growing danger online apps poses means parents must be vigilant and communicate with their kids.

Chris Alan Clark was taken into custody without incident when a search warrant was executed by police and Crook County sheriff’s deputies around 1:20 p.m. Tuesday at his home in the 4000 block of Northwest Happy Hollow Drive, said police Capt. Larry Seymour.

An investigation began last month when the Prineville juvenile under the age of 15 reported being a victim of several sex-related crimes, Seymour said, declining to state the gender of the alleged victim.

Seymour said Clark met the victim through phone apps and interaction. It’s a problem the department is seeing more of — especially for parents that haven’t caught up with the newest apps out there.

“Just get on the Internet and Google the different types of applications, so you’re aware of those when you see them on your child’s phone,” Seymour said. “A lot of parents give their children a phone to dial 911 and they can have access to Wi-Fi.

“So you may not think they’re on it or conversing with other people from other cities, states or your own town in regards to things. But when they have the ability of Wi-Fi, they are gaining access to that material,” Seymour said.

He said he stresses to his daughter that once a picture is taken and sent, it’s not for one pair of eyes to see.

“When you take a photo of yourself, you’re not just sharing it with one person or leaving it on your phone. When you send it via text or in an application, the whole world has it,” Seymour said.

He said he knows his daughter’s passwords, but emphasizes that’s built off of trust, not just to review her material.

Clark was taken to the Crook County Jail and lodged on charges of first-degree online sexual corruption of a child, first-degree sex abuse and luring a minor. He remained held Friday on $90,000 bail.

Seymour said there is not believed to be additional victims, but the investigation is continuing.

“This is not a family issue,” Seymour, said, adding that the suspect and victim met online and began a relationship.

An FBI guide for parents on Internet safety can be found here: https://www.fbi.gov/stats-services/publications/parent-guide