Chelan County detectives arrest 19-year-old in child exploitation case

WENATCHEE. — A 19-year-old Chelan County man has been arrested on multiple charges related to child exploitation following an investigation that began with a tip from Colorado authorities.

John Vargas-Lopez was taken into custody on April 8 near his home in Peshastin and booked into the Chelan County Regional Justice Center. He faces charges of Sexual Exploitation of a Minor, Communication with a Minor for Immoral Purposes, and Possession of a Minor Engaged in Sexually Explicit Conduct.

The investigation began on February 24 when Chelan County Sheriff's Office Detectives were contacted by the Colorado Springs Police Department Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Unit. A Colorado mother had discovered that a male claiming to be from Chelan County was having sexually explicit conversations with her 14-year-old daughter since November 2024, according to authorities. The male reportedly told the juvenile that he intended to travel to Colorado to meet her.

Through examination of phone and social media records, detectives identified Vargas-Lopez as the suspect and uncovered what they describe as "an extensive pattern showing Vargas-Lopez posing as a younger teenage boy while soliciting sexually explicit photos and videos from juvenile females he met on Instagram and Snapchat."

Detective Bowthorpe is continuing the investigation and attempting to identify other potential victims who authorities believe may be from various locations throughout the United States.

"This case is a stark reminder of the realities of social media. The fact is, predators are actively using social media to prey on children and sexually exploit them," said Detective Sergeant Lewis in a statement. "CCSO Detectives are committed to identifying and arresting those in our community who seek to harm or exploit children. Meanwhile, it is imperative that parents talk to their children about how to safely use social media, establish age-appropriate boundaries for cell phone and social media use, and maintain supervision of their communications."