BOISE, ID – Attorney General Raúl Labrador has announced investigators with his Idaho Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force and the Canyon County Sheriff’s Office, working in conjunction with other law enforcement agencies, arrested two (2) men in Canyon County. On Wednesday, February 26th, 2025, 42-year-old Jesse Elam and on Thursday, February 27th, 2025, 37-year-old Garrett Vinni were arrested and charged with (1) count each of enticing a child through use of the internet or other communication device.
Both men were arrested as part of a coordinated undercover operation by law enforcement. The operation targeted offenders communicating with children via text, social media, and other chat platforms to meet for sexual activity. During the two-night operation, officers worked undercover to expose adults seeking to sexually abuse children and share child sexual abuse material. Both suspects are incarcerated in the Canyon County Jail.
“I’m grateful to each one of our participating agencies and partners in this ongoing effort to keep kids safe from exploitation,” said Attorney General Labrador. “The ICAC Task Force and our growing statewide network have a singular focus – to remove threats to children from our streets. We will not stop this pursuit.”
This operation was a cooperative effort that included officers, attorneys, and support personnel from across the State of Idaho. Agencies included the Idaho Office of the Attorney General, Canyon County Sheriff Office, Idaho State Police, Canyon County Prosecutors Office, United States Attorney’s Office, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), United States Air Force Office of Special Investigations (OSI), and the Idaho ICAC Unit including affiliate Investigators from the Boise Police Department, Pocatello Police Department, Idaho Falls Police Department, Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office, Rupert Police Department, Moscow Police Department, Coeur d’Alene Police Department and Nampa Police Department.
“This case is a testament to the power of law enforcement agencies working in unison to take down criminals,” said Canyon County Sheriff Kieran Donahue. “Thanks to the relentless efforts of those involved, child predators have been removed from our streets, making Canyon County a safer place. We will not stop pursuing justice. Parents, you must remain aware—these predators are out there, and your children are at risk.”
The Idaho Office of the Attorney General would like to convey appreciation to all who participated and to the Canyon County Sheriff’s Office for hosting the operation.
Anyone with information regarding the exploitation of children is encouraged to contact local police, the Idaho Attorney General’s ICAC Unit at 208-947-8700, or the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at 1-800-843-5678.
