Ashland Search Warrant Targets Child Exploitation Investigation

ASHLAND, Ore. (Jul. 23, 2026) — Investigators with the Southern Oregon Child Exploitation Team (SOCET) served a search warrant Wednesday morning at an apartment in Ashland as part of an ongoing child exploitation investigation after receiving more than 2,000 suspected child sexual abuse material (CSAM) images allegedly sent directly from an unidentified suspect.

The warrant was executed July 22 at an apartment in the 400 block of Russell Street by SOCET, the Oregon Department of Justice’s Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force, and the Ashland Police Department.

Investigators interviewed potential witnesses and others connected to the case while executing the warrant. Authorities said they are working to identify the suspect and will submit any criminal charges to the Jackson County District Attorney’s Office once the individual has been identified.

During the search, investigators seized multiple digital devices that will undergo forensic examination by the Southern Oregon High Tech Crimes Task Force (SOHTCTF) for additional evidence related to child exploitation.

The operation included assistance from the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, Homeland Security Investigations, Medford Police Department, Ashland Police Department, Central Point Police Department, Talent Police Department, the Oregon Department of Justice ICAC Task Force, and SOHTCTF.

SOCET, established in June 2020, is a multi-agency task force dedicated to investigating child exploitation crimes. The team includes investigators from the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, Medford Police Department, the Oregon Department of Justice ICAC Task Force, and Homeland Security Investigations, along with prosecutors from local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies serving Jackson County.

Authorities said the investigation remains active as detectives continue examining the seized devices and interviewing witnesses. No arrests have been announced, and no additional information is being released at this time.