BEND, Ore. (Feb. 21, 2026) — Three Bend men have been arrested in recent weeks in separate investigations involving child sex abuse material after tips were submitted to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, authorities said.
The cases, investigated by the Bend Police Department, began as CyberTips forwarded to local law enforcement. Police said each tip is thoroughly examined and that investigations can span months or even years because of their complexity, often requiring multiple search warrants and forensic analysis of digital evidence.
Police emphasized that every CyberTip received is investigated and that crimes against children are treated as a top priority.
August search leads to January arrest
In one case, detectives began investigating a Feb. 14, 2025, CyberTip reporting that a local suspect had uploaded multiple files suspected of containing child sex abuse material, commonly referred to as CSAM.
The investigation identified the suspect as William James Kanehl, 42, of Bend. In August 2025, detectives served a search warrant at Kanehl’s home in the 20700 block of Tango Creek Avenue.
According to police, investigators uncovered additional evidence that Kanehl had encouraged the sexual assault of an animal and had messaged with a minor, compelling the child to engage in sexually explicit conduct.
On Jan. 28, detectives arrested Kanehl on suspicion of 12 counts of first-degree encouraging child sex abuse, 13 counts of second-degree encouraging child sex abuse, 11 counts of using a child in a display of sexually explicit conduct, luring a minor and encouraging sexual assault of an animal.
Investigation tied to social media platform
In a separate case, police began investigating a March 6, 2025, CyberTip alleging a local suspect was using Snapchat to save, share or upload CSAM.
Detectives identified the suspect as Mitchel Joseph Gregg, 23, of Bend. On Feb. 10, officers arrested Gregg at his home in the 2000 block of NE Holliday Avenue on suspicion of one count each of first- and second-degree encouraging child sex abuse.
Second tip leads to arrest
A third investigation began May 28, 2025, after police received a CyberTip reporting that a local suspect was messaging and soliciting a child for sexually explicit images. Detectives were initially unable to verify the alleged victim’s age, and no arrest was made at that time.
On Jan. 21, 2026, police received another CyberTip involving the same suspect, this time alleging the upload of CSAM images. Detectives identified the suspect as Evan Matthew Hiatt, 20, of Bend.
On Jan. 28, detectives served a search warrant at Hiatt’s residence in the 1300 block of NE Hidden Valley Drive and arrested him on suspicion of 10 counts each of first- and second-degree encouraging child sex abuse.
All three cases remain under investigation, police said.
All suspects are believed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law
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