Date: Wednesday, January 17, 2018
Case # 2017-375623
Date & Time of Incident: December 2017
Type of Incident: Luring
Location of Incident: Bend/Prineville
Victim:
Two female juvenile victims
Suspect:
Benjamin John Finnestad 42 year old Bend transient
Narrative:
In December 2017, Bend Police Detectives received information from Prineville Police Department regarding a registered sex offender possibly committing crimes in Bend. Prineville Police Department relayed information regarding Finnestad attempting to contact minor females over the internet through various social media platforms.
Examination of digital evidence and interviews confirmed that Finnestad had unlawfully communicated with minor females online and failed to register as a sex offender. Bend Police Detectives arrested Finnestad on January 17 at the Bend Police Department. Finnestad was transported to the Deschutes County Adult Jail where he was lodged on (2) counts of Luring a Minor for Sexual Conduct and (1) count of Fail to Register as a Sex Offender.
This investigation is still ongoing.
The Bend Police Department wants to remind our community of the dangers that exist regarding youth on social media. It is important for parents to be mindful of the social media platforms their children use.
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