Linn County Sheriff Michelle Duncan reports on July 2, 2024, her detectives arrested Christopher Michael Douglass, 42, of Sweet Home, in connection to a Luring of a Minor investigation. The investigation began in December of 2023 when the parents of a 15-year-old girl from Albany, reported to law enforcement that their child had been having sexual communications with a 42-year-old male over a four-month period. The communications occurred over a social media application as well as personal text messages.
Investigators were able to determine the 15-year-old girl had been communicating with Douglass who was using a false name on the social media platform. Investigators were also able to determine that the 15-year-old girl had sent sexually explicit images to Douglass at his request. Douglass also offered to buy a bus ticket for the 15-year-old girl so they could meet in person and indicated he would purchase marijuana and nicotine products for her.
On July 2, 2024, Linn County Detectives served a search warrant at Douglass’s residence located in the 600 block of 7th Avenue in Sweet Home. Investigators seized evidence related to this investigation. Douglass was arrested at his residence and taken to the Linn County Jail where he was lodged for the charges of Online Sexual Corruption of a Child in the Second Degree and Luring a Minor. The Linn County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Sweet Home Police Department.
The investigation is ongoing as investigators believe there may be other victims of Douglass. Anyone with information should contact Detective Tracy White at (541) 967-3950.