International Darknet Investigation Leads to Federal Search in Medford
Homeland Security investigators say a child sexual abuse material case traced overseas led authorities to a residence on Marilee Street.
AT A GLANCE
Search: Federal investigators served a warrant Wednesday at a residence in the 3000 block of Marilee Street in Medford.
Investigation: Authorities say the case involves child sexual abuse material purchased through a darknet website.
International connection: German investigators identified a potential Medford-area suspect and provided information that helped advance the investigation.
Evidence: Digital devices were seized and will undergo forensic examination.
Status: No suspect has been publicly identified, and no charges have been announced.
MEDFORD, Ore. — An investigation that began overseas led federal, state, and local investigators to a Medford home Wednesday morning as part of a child exploitation case involving the darknet.
Homeland Security Investigations and the Southern Oregon Child Exploitation Team served a federal search warrant at a residence in the 3000 block of Marilee Street after investigators say child sexual abuse material, or CSAM, was purchased through a darknet website.
The case reached Southern Oregon after German investigators identified a potential suspect in the Medford area, according to the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office.
No suspect has been publicly identified, and no charges have been announced.
Child Exploitation Investigation: Medford Police officers work near a Southern Oregon Child Exploitation Team vehicle during the federal search warrant operation. Jackson County Sheriff’s Office.
Devices seized for forensic examination
Investigators interviewed potential witnesses and people connected to the residence while the warrant was being served.
Digital devices were also seized and will now be examined by the Southern Oregon High Tech Crimes Task Force for possible evidence of child exploitation.
Authorities say investigators are still working to identify the person responsible and determine whether criminal charges should be referred to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
The operation brought together Homeland Security Investigations, the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, Medford Police, Oregon State Police, and the Oregon Department of Justice Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.
Photos released by JCSO show federal and local investigators working inside and around the Medford residence as electronic devices and other potential evidence were examined.
An investigation crossing borders
The case highlights how child exploitation investigations can move across jurisdictions — and, in this instance, across international borders.
According to JCSO, German investigators developed information pointing toward a possible Medford-area suspect during a darknet CSAM investigation. That information ultimately led to Wednesday’s federal search warrant.
The Southern Oregon Child Exploitation Team has operated since 2020 as a joint effort between local, state, and federal agencies investigating crimes involving the exploitation of children.
The Southern Oregon High Tech Crimes Task Force separately specializes in the forensic examination of digital evidence.
Investigators continue to review the seized devices and conduct interviews.
JCSO said no additional details are expected to be released while the investigation continues.
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