Joint operation leads to arrest in child pornography case in La Grande

LA GROTE – (Release from the City of La Grande Police) On October 3^rdIn 2024 at approximately 10:00 a.m., Michael Wiens, 74, of La Grande, was arrested and booked into the Union County Jail on (19) charges of Encouraging Child Sexual Abuse in the First Degree.

In a successful, coordinated effort, detectives from the La Grande Police Department, the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force and the Oregon State Police executed a search warrant on March 6 at Wiens’ residence, located at 1106 B Avenue in La Grande . 2024. This operation, the result of months of painstaking investigation, was aimed at tackling the unlawful possession of child pornography.

During the operation, law enforcement officials seized more than 37 pieces of evidence, including computers, hard drives, external drives and mobile phones. These items were thoroughly analyzed by special officers of the ICAC Task Force.

Hundreds of images of child exploitation were recovered during the operation. However, it is important to note that there do not appear to be any local child victims involved in this case at this time.

Our partnership with the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force plays an important role in our efforts to address cases of child exploitation. We currently have (16) open cases involving the production and/or possession of child pornography. Working closely with the ICAC, our department remains steadfast in its commitment to combating technology-facilitated child sexual exploitation and internet crimes against children.

This operation underscores the commitment of local and national law enforcement agencies to protect children and bring offenders to justice. The joint effort shows a significant commitment to tackling and preventing child exploitation.

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A previous LGPD release on child phonography cases in La Grande can be found here