ALBANY, Ore. – An out-of-state child advocacy group’s actions led to the arrest of a Corvallis man with an outstanding warrant, but their unorthodox methods have raised concerns within local law enforcement about the potential jeopardizing of an ongoing investigation.
On March 21, the Albany Police Department (APD) received a tip from the advocacy group, which had posed as a minor online in an effort to assist law enforcement. The group arranged a meeting in Albany with Charles H. Mellick, a 34-year-old Corvallis man who was wanted for an outstanding warrant. During the encounter, the group filmed their interaction with Mellick, reportedly for their social media platform.
Authorities confirmed that Mellick is a registered sex offender, and the advocacy group’s actions led to his arrest. However, additional allegations raised by the group are still under investigation. According to APD officials, this is not the first time local authorities have worked with child advocacy groups to combat crimes involving minors. Past meetings have established guidelines on jurisdiction, evidence handling, and proper investigation procedures.
Despite these collaborative efforts, APD officials expressed concern over the group’s approach. Police emphasized that the group’s decision to engage with Mellick before notifying law enforcement could have jeopardized the investigation. The actions were described as a breach of protocol, as law enforcement typically expects to be involved earlier in the process to ensure the safety of all parties and the integrity of the investigation.
In a statement, the Albany Police Department advised against the involvement of untrained, unsworn individuals in such sensitive matters. They cautioned that attempting to confront suspected sex offenders through questionable legal means can lead to safety risks and may compromise law enforcement operations.
To prevent similar incidents in the future, the APD recommended that individuals report crimes involving children through official channels, such as the CyberTipline, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children’s hotline (1-800-THE-LOST), or by directly contacting local police departments.
As the investigation continues, authorities are reminding the public of the importance of working with professionals when addressing crimes against children.
