On September 26, 2024, the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office Human Exploitation and Recovery Operations Unit (HERO) arrested 68-year-old Merlyn Bonham Jr. on charges related to the possession of Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM).
The investigation began in July 2024, when the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC) received a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC). The tip identified uploads of CSAM to Kik, originating from an address in Sparks, Nevada.
Through its investigation, the ICAC Task Force determined that all the uploads came from the same residence, later confirmed to be the home of Merlyn Bonham Jr. Detectives served a search warrant at his residence, seizing his cell phone and conducting an interview.
A digital forensic analysis by the Northern Nevada Cyber Center uncovered further incriminating evidence on Bonham’s phone, leading to his arrest.
Bonham is currently being held at the Washoe County Detention Facility on felony charges of possessing, distributing, and using the internet to control child sexual abuse material involving a minor under the age of 16.
The Washoe County Sheriff’s Office has been a leader in combating child exploitation by dedicating full-time resources to the ICAC task force. This collaborative effort includes the Sparks Police Department, the FBI, the Nevada Attorney General’s Office, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Carson City Sheriff’s Office. Additionally, the team is supported by an ESD K9, generously donated by OUR Rescue, trained to detect electronic devices used in cybercrimes.
Recognizing that the internet transcends jurisdictional boundaries, the Sheriff’s Office works closely with federal and local partners to combat these crimes. ICAC Task Force members are deputized as Special Deputy U.S. Marshals through their involvement with the FBI’s Child Exploitation Task Force, expanding their reach and enforcement capabilities.
In 2024, the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office launched the HERO Unit to combat human trafficking and exploitation across the region. This specialized unit brings together law enforcement personnel from the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office, the University Police Department, and the Pyramid Lake Police Department. With a mission to safeguard vulnerable individuals, the HERO Unit focuses on dismantling trafficking networks, preventing exploitation, and offering compassionate recovery services to victims. Through a collaborative approach, they aim to create a safer community and restore dignity to those affected by these heinous crimes.
