A 42-year-old Mexican citizen, Jamie Neri-Soto, has been indicted for receiving images of child sexual abuse, according to Acting U.S. Attorney Teal Luthy Miller. The arrest was made by Bothell Police detectives following an investigation that began with reports to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC).
The case records indicate that in October 2024, WhatsApp notified NCMEC about a user uploading images of child sexual abuse. By January 2025, this CyberTip was forwarded to the Bothell Police Department, which worked swiftly to trace the phone number and IP address back to an individual. Through collaboration with internet service providers and analysis of device information, law enforcement pinpointed Neri-Soto's location.
Neri-Soto was arrested after surveillance operations were conducted. During his fingerprinting at Bothell Police, it was revealed he had previously been a registered sex offender until his registration ended in 2017 when he was deported by federal authorities.
Federal authorities participated in the forensic examination of electronic devices found with Neri-Soto. The cyber review allegedly uncovered numerous images of child sexual abuse on one device. Subsequently, Neri-Soto faced federal charges through a criminal complaint for receipt of such images.
The grand jury issued an indictment for receipt of child pornography yesterday. If convicted, the charges carry a potential penalty of up to twenty years in prison.
Neri-Soto is set for arraignment on March 13, 2025. It is important to note that these charges are allegations; individuals are presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court.
The investigation involved both the Bothell Police Department and the FBI. Assistant United States Attorney Cecelia Gregson is prosecuting the case.
This case forms part of Project Safe Childhood, an initiative launched by the U.S. Department of Justice in May 2006 aimed at combating child sexual exploitation and abuse nationwide. For more information on Project Safe Childhood, visit http://www.justice.gov/psc.
