Suspect Indicted And Arrested In Online Child Exploitation Investigation
- 03/13/26
Suspect Indicted and Arrested In Online Child Exploitation Investigation
March 13, 2026
In October of 2025, an officer assigned to the Sherwood Police Investigations Unit initiated a proactive child predator sting investigation. During the investigation, the investigator utilized multiple dating applications, social media platforms, and other online services while posing as under the age of 15. Throughout the investigation, several individuals terminated conversations upon realizing they were communicating with someone who identified as a minor.
However, 22-year-old Pranav Joshi of Beaverton communicated with the investigator for several weeks and offered to meet who he believed to be a child for the purpose of engaging in sexual activity. Mr. Joshi made detailed plans to meet and sent explicit photographs to the investigator during these communications.
In January of 2026, the case was presented to a Washington County Grand Jury, and they indicted Mr. Joshi on the following charges:
- Luring a Minor (4 Counts)
- Online Sexual Corruption of a Child in the Second Degree (3 Counts)
Following the indictment, a Washington County Circuit Court Judge issued a Secret Indictment Arrest Warrant. Mr. Joshi was arrested without incident and lodged at the Washington County Jail.
The Sherwood Police Department receives hundreds of child abuse reports each year, and these proactive missions are designed to identify and apprehend people before they victimize an actual child. Parents and guardians of children are strongly encouraged to monitor and help their children safely navigate online social networking on computers and smartphones.
The Sherwood Police Department would like to thank the Washington County District Attorney’s Office and the Washington County Sheriff’s Office for their assistance with this case.
Suspect Indicted And Arrested In Online Child Exploitation Investigation
- 03/13/26
Suspect Indicted and Arrested In Online Child Exploitation Investigation
March 13, 2026
In October of 2025, an officer assigned to the Sherwood Police Investigations Unit initiated a proactive child predator sting investigation. During the investigation, the investigator utilized multiple dating applications, social media platforms, and other online services while posing as under the age of 15. Throughout the investigation, several individuals terminated conversations upon realizing they were communicating with someone who identified as a minor.
However, 22-year-old Pranav Joshi of Beaverton communicated with the investigator for several weeks and offered to meet who he believed to be a child for the purpose of engaging in sexual activity. Mr. Joshi made detailed plans to meet and sent explicit photographs to the investigator during these communications.
In January of 2026, the case was presented to a Washington County Grand Jury, and they indicted Mr. Joshi on the following charges:
- Luring a Minor (4 Counts)
- Online Sexual Corruption of a Child in the Second Degree (3 Counts)
Following the indictment, a Washington County Circuit Court Judge issued a Secret Indictment Arrest Warrant. Mr. Joshi was arrested without incident and lodged at the Washington County Jail.
The Sherwood Police Department receives hundreds of child abuse reports each year, and these proactive missions are designed to identify and apprehend people before they victimize an actual child. Parents and guardians of children are strongly encouraged to monitor and help their children safely navigate online social networking on computers and smartphones.
The Sherwood Police Department would like to thank the Washington County District Attorney’s Office and the Washington County Sheriff’s Office for their assistance with this case.