Detectives from the Washington State Patrol (WSP) Missing and Exploited Children’s Task Force (MECTF) arrested two suspects on child exploitation and human trafficking charges.
Stephen R. Johantgen, 19, of Olympia, and Timothy S. Harrison, 25, listed as a transient, were both taken into custody without incident Wednesday morning.
The investigation originated after staff within the WSP’s Missing and Unidentified Persons Unit, working with staff from the Department of Social and Health Services, received information that two runaway’s from a state care facility were potentially being trafficked commercially for sex.
The investigation was assigned to detectives from MECTF, with support from detective from the WSP’s High Tech Crime Unit and Criminal Investigation Division. WSP detectives located one of the runaways Tuesday afternoon following an undercover operation in downtown Olympia. The 15 year-old victim confirmed one of the suspects was trying to “pimp her out”, in addition to two suspect’s having repeatedly sexually assaulting her over the previous several days.
Undercover detectives located the two suspects as they left an RV they were residing in near Tumwater. Both suspects were taken into custody without incident. An additional 16 year-old runaway was located in the RV the suspects were living in. Detectives corroborated the victim’s statement with independent witness statements and forensic evidence that was collected.
Johantgen was arrested for Promoting Commercial Sexual Abuse of a Minor, Commercial Sexual Abuse of a Minor, and Rape of a Child in the 3rd Degree. Harrison was arrested for Rape of a Child in the 3rd Degree, Promoting Commercial Sexual Abuse of a Minor, and an outstanding felony warrant for his arrest. Both were booked into the Thurston County Jail. Additional charges are possible as the investigation continues. Both victims are now safely in state care.
