ROCKAWAY BEACH – On February 10, 2021, the Tillamook County Sheriff’s Office Detective Division was assisted by the Rockaway Beach Police Department when they executed a search warrant at a residence in Rockaway Beach. Jordan Richard Neahring, 23, of Rockaway Beach, was arrested and lodged at the Tillamook County Jail on charges related to the possession of child pornography.
According to TCSO Detective Andy Christopherson, the investigation began when he received a tip from the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) task force, and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC). The information received was that someone was accessing and downloading images of child pornography at a residence in Rockaway Beach.
“During investigations like these, it is my belief that the victims are not only being victimized when the offense of the initial images are taken, but revictimized every time these images are used, shared, or traded by people,” said Det. Christopherson.
Neahring admitted to Detectives that he has been accessing images of child pornography for several years. Several electronic devices were seized from the residence and will be forensically examined. Detective Christopherson noted that there was no evidence to show that any other residents of this house were aware of Neahring’s criminal activity. Neahring was initially charged with 5 counts of Encouraging Child Sex Abuse in the First Degree and five counts of Encouraging Child Sex Abuse in the Second Degree. The investigation is ongoing.
“I cannot stress the importance of monitoring children’s access to social media, chat rooms, messaging apps, and other activity that occurs on their cell phone, laptops, tablets, and video game consoles. We live in a world where kids primary communication is by electronic means, this unfortunately allows offenders to gain easier access to our children,” said Det. Christopherson.
Detective Christopherson stressed that while sometimes daunting, and always disturbing, the Tillamook County Sheriff’s Office “will continue to focus on conducting thorough investigations in hopes that these offenders are being held accountable for their despicable criminal actions, and to help ensure the safety of children.”
Law enforcement officers often must investigate some of the most heinous crimes that occur in our society. These crimes affect the most vulnerable of our population – our children. The trauma endured by these crimes lasts a lifetime. We are talking today about child pornography. In our zest for the latest in electronic gear, and connectivity to the digital realm, our “online” society has inadvertently created ways to easily, effectively, and repeatedly victimize children. Today, child pornographers use, create, and share images at a shocking rate.
This criminal activity is occurring in every corner of the world – Yes, even here in Tillamook County. We would much rather share stories about the amazing, beautiful and funny things that happen here in our little slice of heaven on the Oregon Coast, but we believe it is also necessary for people to know the clear and present danger that really does exists for our kids in order to help stop it, or even prevent it from happening. Please take note, and check the online activity of the children in your care – because the responsibility to protect them rests on all of our shoulders.
For more information: https://www.missingkids.org/home