4/9/25 - LCSO Case #25-1431 Lane County Sheriff’s detectives charge Veneta man with internet crimes against children On March 24th, the Lane County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a suicidal subject who lived in the 88000 block of Crystal Street, Veneta. The involved subject, Andrew Page Bledsoe, had traveled to Portland, Oregon, to meet a 13-year-old female. Instead, Bledsoe encountered a private group that investigates child predators. He left the Portland area and told a friend he was suicidal. Deputies were unable to locate Bledsoe. The incident did not result in criminal charges out of Portland, however a Lane County Sheriff’s detective on the Lane County Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force began investigating. The investigation turned up potential internet crimes spanning multiple jurisdictions in Oregon, across the United States, and internationally. This evidence was discovered independent of the incident in Portland. Detectives requested assistance from the Oregon State Police and the Federal Bureau of Investigations due to the scope of the case. Together, they were able to track Bledsoe to Caldwell, Idaho. On April 3rd, the Lane County District Attorney’s Office was granted a nationwide arrest warrant for Bledsoe, and he was arrested minutes later by the Caldwell Police Department. He is now awaiting extradition to Lane County, where he will initially be charged with 5 counts of Encouraging Child Sex Abuse in the First Degree. This arrest is part of an ongoing effort by local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies to combat child exploitation and protect vulnerable members of our community. Thanks to the many agencies who participate in the Lane County ICAC Task Force and collaborate to make this work possible.