Everett man convicted of attempted child rape in case tried by Washington AG

(The Center Square) – Veniamin Gaidaichuk of Everett was convicted on Monday by a Yakima County jury of felony attempted second-degree child rape and communication with a minor child for immoral purposes, following a criminal prosecution by the office of Washington state Attorney General Bob Ferguson.

“The work of law enforcement across the state to protect children is vital,” Ferguson said in a Tuesday news release. “Keeping our communities safe from predators is an important part of my office’s work. I appreciate our partnership with the Washington State Patrol and Yakima County to investigate these cases and keep child predators off the streets.”

Gaidaichuk, 31, is set to be sentenced on Nov. 7. According to the Attorney General’s Office, he faces the standard sentencing range for the attempted rape charge: from 90 to 118.5 months in prison all the way up to life in prison and a maximum fine of $50,000. The maximum sentence for communicating with a minor for immoral purposes is no more than five years in prison and a maximum fine of $10,000.

In November 2019, law enforcement arrested 16 people – Gaidaichuk among them – in Yakima County after a multi-day operation dubbed “Operation Net Nanny” that involved the Washington State Patrol, local Yakima County law enforcement agencies and several partner agencies.

According to Gaidaichuk’s affidavit of probable cause, he posed as “Ben” and reached out to someone he thought was a 13-year-old girl but was actually an undercover police officer. During a subsequent phone conversation between the two, the undercover officer mentioned she did not have condoms, explaining she did not want to get pregnant.

- Advertisement -

Over texts the next two days, the undercover officer encouraged Gaidaichuk to come to her house in Yakima and she sent him photos.

Police arrested Gaidaichuk two days later when he showed up at her house. A box of condoms was found in the backseat of Gaidaichuk’s vehicle.

The Attorney General’s Office, according to the news release, does not have the authority to initiate criminal investigations unless it receives and accepts a referral from a county prosecutor or the governor.

spot_img
spot_img

Hot this week

African and Caribbean Nations Call for Reparations for Slave Trade, Propose Global Fund

Nations across Africa and the Caribbean, deeply impacted by...

Sports betting expert offers advice on paying taxes for gambling winnings

(The Center Square) – Tax season is underway, and...

Health care company agrees to pay $22.5 million to settle claims of over billing

A health care company agreed to pay nearly $22.5...

Entertainment district benefits don’t outweigh the cost, economists say

(The Center Square) — Weeks later, after more details...

Business association ‘disappointed’ by WA L&I’s proposed workers comp rate hike

(The Center Square) – The Association of Washington Business...

Trump’s Approval Rating Falls to 42%, Reuters/Ipsos Poll Finds

(AURN News) — President Donald Trump’s approval rating has...

Wisconsin Assembly passes wave of unemployment reforms

(The Center Square) – The Wisconsin Assembly passed a...

WA House Finance Committee gives do-pass recommendation to three tax bills

(The Center Square) – With the session winding down,...

WATCH: Shapiro won’t ‘live in fear’ after mansion firebombing

(The Center Square) – Nine days after an arsonist...

Bill: Oversight on rules generated by executive branch would be increased

(The Center Square) – Increased oversight of making rules...

Shreveport Council approves resolution supporting four bills

(The Center Square) — A recent vote on two...

CA drug spending doubled due to weight loss drugs, illegal immigrants

(The Center Square) - The California Legislative Analyst’s Office...

More like this
Related

Trump’s Approval Rating Falls to 42%, Reuters/Ipsos Poll Finds

(AURN News) — President Donald Trump’s approval rating has...

Wisconsin Assembly passes wave of unemployment reforms

(The Center Square) – The Wisconsin Assembly passed a...

WA House Finance Committee gives do-pass recommendation to three tax bills

(The Center Square) – With the session winding down,...

WATCH: Shapiro won’t ‘live in fear’ after mansion firebombing

(The Center Square) – Nine days after an arsonist...