Portland Police Arrest Man on Child Luring Charges Following Sting Operation
The Portland Police Bureau (PPB) has arrested 35-year-old Samuel DiGiovanni on child luring charges after he allegedly attempted to meet someone he believed to be a 14-year-old girl at Waterfront Park in downtown Portland. This arrest highlights the ongoing efforts by law enforcement to combat online predators and protect vulnerable individuals, even when no real child is involved.
According to PPB, DiGiovanni’s arrest followed a tip from the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI). The FBI had been informed by individuals posing as the decoy teenager, providing critical information to PPB’s Crimes Against Children unit. After weeks of explicit online communication, DiGiovanni allegedly arranged to meet the supposed teenager in person.
PPB took swift action, executing a search warrant at DiGiovanni’s residence near the park before making the arrest. Sergeant Davis Kile, who supervises the Crimes Against Children unit, emphasized the gravity of the case. “After several weeks of very explicit sexual content chatting, they agreed to meet up at Waterfront Park,” Kile stated.
Charges Filed Against DiGiovanni
DiGiovanni now faces a slew of serious charges, including:
- Luring a minor
- Online sexual corruption of a child
- Attempted third-degree rape
- Attempted third-degree sodomy
- Attempting to use a child in the display of sexually explicit conduct
While additional charges may arise, Kile noted that investigators are still reviewing evidence gathered during the search. “We did collect some evidence from his home,” Kile explained. “It’s going to take time to go through his phone and see what other information is in there.”
This isn’t DiGiovanni’s first run-in with the law. He was previously arrested in 2016 on misdemeanor sex abuse charges, but the case was dismissed due to challenges in securing the victim’s testimony and the court’s unwillingness to grant a delay.
The Rise of Online Luring Cases
Kile pointed out that cases of online child luring are on the rise, fueled by the growing use of online platforms by children and teenagers. Gaming platforms and chat services like Discord, while often safe, have become hunting grounds for predators. “Parents need to warn their children about requests to move conversations to encrypted platforms or to send pictures,” Kile advised.
The broader trend is echoed by national data. Jennifer Newman, Executive Director of the Child Exploitation Division at the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, noted a staggering increase in online enticement cases. Reports to the center surged by 300% between 2020 and 2023, with numbers more than doubling from 2023 to 2024.
“In 2023, our total number of reports in that category was 186,000. This year, the number is going to exceed 400,000,” Newman revealed. A troubling new trend within these cases involves “sextortion” targeting teenage boys aged 14 to 17. Predators, often operating from abroad, coerce boys into sending explicit photos and then demand money, sometimes with devastating consequences, including suicide.
How Parents Can Stay Vigilant
Newman encouraged parents to use news stories like this as conversation starters with their children. “Ask your kids if they’ve heard of things like this happening,” she suggested. This can be a gateway to discussing safe online behavior and understanding the risks of sharing personal information or images with strangers.
The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children offers additional resources and tips to help families stay safe online. Being proactive can make all the difference in preventing these crimes.
Legal Support for Restraining Orders in Portland
This case also underscores the importance of having legal protections in place for individuals who may be at risk of harm from predators. A Portland Restraining Order Attorney can help victims and their families navigate the legal system to secure restraining orders and other protective measures. Whether dealing with online threats or in-person dangers, an experienced attorney can be a vital resource in ensuring safety and holding offenders accountable.
A Collaborative Effort to Protect Children
Although no actual child was involved in this particular case, law enforcement and child protection agencies take such incidents very seriously. “PPB has invested quite a bit in our unit to investigate these cases, and we will investigate them fully,” Kile affirmed. These efforts, combined with increased awareness among parents and communities, are critical in addressing the alarming rise in child exploitation crimes.
By working together—parents, law enforcement, and legal professionals—there’s hope for reducing these devastating crimes and ensuring a safer future for children both online and offline.
