Medford, Ore. — A Jacksonville man is in custody after attempting to lure and sexually exploit a local teenager, according to the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office.
The incident began when the suspect, identified as 39-year-old Anthony Nicholas Wheeler, engaged in inappropriate communication with the underaged victim via Snapchat’s “Quick Add” feature. Authorities report that the victim’s parents became aware of the interactions on March 22 and immediately intervened by contacting law enforcement.
The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office then transferred the case to the Southern Oregon Child Exploitation Team (SOCET), which took control of the victim’s Snapchat account. Through this investigation, detectives discovered that Wheeler had been communicating sexually with the teen.
On March 26, undercover officers posing as the victim arranged a meeting with the suspect at a pre-designated location in Medford. Detectives from the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, SOCET, Oregon State Police, and Medford Police Department set up surveillance in the area. When Wheeler arrived at the meeting spot, located in the 2900 block of Crater Lake Highway, he was arrested without incident at approximately 7:30 p.m.
Wheeler now faces multiple charges, including first-degree online sexual corruption of a child, second-degree online sexual corruption of a child, and luring a minor. He is currently being held at the Jackson County Jail.
In a statement, the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office emphasized the critical role of vigilant parenting in safeguarding children from online dangers. The sheriff’s office pointed out that the intervention of the victim’s parents led to a successful outcome, but noted that not every case ends as safely.
As part of the investigation, authorities have shared safety tips for parents to help protect their children from online predators:
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Have Open Conversations: Discuss internet safety with children before they begin engaging online. Establish clear guidelines for online behavior, teach them how to recognize red flags, and encourage open communication.
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Report Suspicious Behavior: Advise children to speak to a parent, guardian, or trusted adult if they are approached by anyone online with inappropriate or sexual requests.
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Know What to Do: In cases of suspected online enticement or exploitation, parents should immediately report the incident to authorities. The FBI can be contacted at www.tips.fbi.gov, or a report can be filed with the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children at 1-800-843-5678 or online at www.report.cybertip.org.
The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office urges parents to stay vigilant and proactive in monitoring their children’s online interactions, stressing that education and awareness are key to preventing online exploitation.
For further information on protecting children in the digital world, resources are available from the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children and local law enforcement agencies.