This morning, the Astoria Police Department assisted the Oregon Department of Justice Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force by executing search warrants in the 100 block of Madison Avenue, relating to a child pornography investigation.
During a search of the residence, investigators also found firearms and ballistic body armor, which the subject of the investigation was banned from possessing.
Astoria Police investigators got an additional search warrant to seize those items.
William James Dixon Jr., 76, of Astoria, was arrested for six counts of first-degree encouraging child sexual abuse, six counts of second-degree encouraging child sexual abuse, felon in possession of a firearm and felon in possession of body armor.
The Mission of the task force is to protect Oregon’s children through community education and the identification, apprehension and prosecution of those who commit Internet crimes against children.
The Astoria Police Department is an affiliate of the Oregon Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.
“This partnership allows us a multi-agency response to prevent, interdict, investigate, and prosecute Internet crimes against children. Being able to work and confer with the agents who have specialized training and equipment to address these types of investigations has proven successful for us in multiple investigations,” Astoria Deputy Police Chief Eric Halverson said.
Additional information about the Oregon Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force can be located at http://bit.ly/1NLSDGN