Deschutes County Sheriff's Office Internet Crimes Against Children Unit Arrest Redmond Man (Photo) - 06/28/24
Released by: Sergeant Thomas Lilienthal
Release Date: June 27, 2024
Location: 6000 Block of SW Jaguar Ave, Redmond, OR / Odell Butte, Crescent, OR
Arrested: Max Hite, 67-year-old male, Redmond, OR
Charges:
- 10x Encouraging Child Sexual Abuse in the First Degree ORS 163.684
- 10x Encouraging Child Sexual Abuse in the Second Degree ORS 163.686
- 1x Encouraging Sexual Abuse of an Animal ORS 167.341
NARRATIVE:
The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office ICAC unit received several Cybertips from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) regarding accounts on multiple social media platforms that were distributing Child Sex Abuse Material (CSAM). After several subpoenas and search warrants, Max Hite was identified as the operator of these accounts.
On June 27th, 2024, detectives with the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office ICAC unit, as well as detectives with the Criminal Investigations unit, Street Crimes unit, Digital Forensics unit, Oregon State Police ICAC detectives, Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI), Redmond Police Department Digital Forensics, and United States Marshalls Service (USMS) unit served a search warrant at Hite’s residence.
During the execution of the warrant, it was learned that Hite was working on Odell Butte. Several digital devices were seized from his residence before detectives traveled to Odell Butte to locate and arrest Hite. Hite was located on Odell Butte, placed under arrest, transported to the Deschutes County Adult Jail, and booked on the aforementioned charges. Additional digital devices were seized from Hite after his arrest.
Further search warrants will be sought for the analysis of the seized digital devices, which may result in future charges being filed.
The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office is a full-service agency that oversees the adult jail, provides patrol, criminal investigations, civil process and search and rescue operations. Special units include SWAT, Marine Patrol, ATV Patrol, Forest Patrol, along with six K9 teams. Founded in 1916 and today led by your duly elected Sheriff L. Shane Nelson, the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office serves over 200,000 residents in Deschutes County. The agency has 259 authorized and funded personnel, which includes 193 sworn employees who provide services to the 3,055 square miles of Deschutes County.
