Final Defendant to be Sentenced Federally Resulting from Local Sting Operation
BOISE – Tyler Douglas Asker, 33, of Caldwell, was sentenced to 60 months in federal prison on the charge of attempted use of interstate facilities to transmit information about a minor, which involved the defendant using the internet to entice a minor into sexual activity, U.S. Attorney Josh Hurwit announced today.
According to court records, between August 3, 2023, and August 18, 2023, Asker communicated online with an undercover detective posing as a 14-year-old girl. During the communications, Asker sent the purported child an explicit video and discussed engaging the child in sexual acts. Asker requested the child’s address and was arrested after he traveled to meet the child.
Senior U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill also sentenced Asker to ten years of supervised release. Asker will be required to register as a sex offender as a result of the conviction.
The investigation was part of “Operation Summertime Blues,” a joint local, state, and federal undercover operation conducted in Boise in August 2023 to identify individuals predisposed to meet minors for sexual contact. Participating agencies included the Boise Police Department, Homeland Security Investigations, the Idaho Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force, the Meridian Police Department, the Garden City Police Department, and the Ada County Sheriff’s Office.
Asker is the last of three defendants charged in federal court as a result of Operation Summertime Blues. Earlier this year, Shawn Edwin Long, 42, of Kuna, and Daniel DeLong, 44, of Ontario, were both sentenced by Judge Winmill to 60 months in federal prison followed by five years of supervised release for attempted use of interstate facilities to transmit information about a minor.
“I am grateful to all the agencies who supported ‘Operation Summertime Blues,’” said U.S. Attorney Hurwit. “The proactive and collaborative approach used to catch these would-be predators is essential to protecting Idaho’s children. We will continue to pursue anyone seeking to sexually exploit minors through online communications.”
“This attempt to prey on a child was fortunately thwarted though the unquestionable expertise found through our law enforcement partnerships,” said Special Agent in Charge Robert Hammer, who oversees HSI operations in the Pacific Northwest. “Dark ideations that would put our children at risk cannot be allowed to thrive in the shadows of cyberspace, and it is our collective efforts that will protect Idaho communities from online predators.”
“I am very proud of the work our ICAC Unit has done to protect children across Idaho,” said Attorney General Raúl Labrador. “They have forged solid relationships with federal and local prosecutors and law enforcement agencies across Idaho. These demonstrated partnerships are critical for keeping our communities safe from predators and abusers.”
“One of the highest responsibilities we have as law enforcement, is to protect those who are vulnerable and unable to protect themselves—our children,” said Boise Police Chief Ron Winegar. “Those like Mr. Asker, who would prey on our children, deserve our utmost attention, our strongest investigative and prosecutorial efforts, and our dedication to keep them from being successful in their efforts to victimize our society’s most vulnerable.”
“We are extremely proud of the work by our men and women involved in this case,” said Meridian Police Chief Tracy Basterrechea. “These cases are very difficult especially with the ever-changing world of technology coupled with the toll these types of investigations take on our investigators. It is their dedication and excellence that helped bring another predator to justice.”
“These are difficult investigations for the victims, their families, and our investigators,” said Garden City Police Chief Cory Stambaugh. “I am thankful that the work by the members of the task force have put another person who preys on kids in prison.”
Assistant U.S. Attorney Kassandra McGrady prosecuted this case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. As part of Project Safe Childhood, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Idaho and the Idaho Attorney General’s Office partner to marshal federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.