Detectives Arrest Fifth Person from April 2024 Sting

On April 4, 2024, Washington County Sheriff’s Office detectives conducted a child predator sting where investigators used multiple online platforms to pose as underage children. During that sting, investigators had online communication with Joseph Lee Lyons, 33, of Portland. Lyons did not attempt to meet with a child on the date of the sting.

For several months, Lyons continued to engage in sexually explicit conversation with a person he believed to be a child but was actually a detective. In November 2024, a Washington County grand jury indicted Lyons on 6 counts of luring a minor and 4 counts of online sexual corruption of a child in the second degree. Investigators tried to take Lyons into custody but were unable to locate him initially.

On January 3, 2025, Lyons was arrested in Portland and lodged at the Washington County Jail. During a conversation with investigators, Lyons admitted that he has met in person with multiple children that he connected with online.

Detectives would like to speak with anyone who has information about Lyons or his online contact with children. Please contact the Washington County Sheriff's Office at 503-846-2500 with any tips.

Four People Arrested in Undercover Child Predator Sting

April 5, 2024

On April 4, 2024, the Washington County Sheriff’s Office conducted a child predator sting where investigators used multiple dating applications, social media sites, and other online platforms to pose as underage boys and girls. The people contacted the profiles online and offered to meet a person they believed to be a child for sex. When individuals arrived to meet the child, they were instead contacted by law enforcement and arrested.

During the mission, several individuals immediately terminated their conversations when they realized they were speaking to someone who explicitly provided their specific age and identified as a minor.

The following people were arrested for luring a minor and online sexual corruption of a child in the first degree:

• Matthew P. Goldman, 30, of Tigard
• Jesus Rodriguez-Garcia, 27, of Forest Grove.
• Gerardo Serrano-Garcia, 25, of Hillsboro
• Ruben Olvera-Gaona, 54, of Forest Grove, was also arrested for a warrant out of Washington County for giving false information to a peace officer.

Detectives believe there may be more victims of these individuals. Rodriguez-Garcia made statements while chatting with the decoy that he had engaged in sexual contact with other minors. Anyone with additional information about any of the people is asked to call the Sheriff’s Office at 503-846-2700.

The Sheriff’s Office regularly conducts undercover operations, both full-scale stings and day-to-day chats, targeting child predators. The Sheriff’s Office receives thousands of child abuse reports each year, and these proactive missions are designed to identify and contact people before they victimize an actual child.

Parents are encouraged to help their children be safe online and to be aware of the websites and mobile applications their kids are using. The Sheriff’s Office provides online safety education for parents and community organizations upon request.

The Washington County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the Cornelius Police Department and Lake Oswego Police Department for assisting with the sting.