Veneta, Ore. – A 36-year-old Veneta man, Andrew Page Bledsoe, was arrested last week in Caldwell, Idaho, after an alleged attempt to meet a 13-year-old girl in Portland. Instead of meeting the girl, Bledsoe was confronted by a private child predator investigation group, which led to an ongoing law enforcement investigation.
According to the Lane County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO), Bledsoe traveled to Portland in late March with the intent to meet the girl. However, upon his arrival, he was confronted by members of a private group that investigates suspected child predators. After the encounter, Bledsoe reportedly left the Portland area and reached out to a friend, expressing suicidal thoughts. Deputies were unable to locate him at the time, and no charges were filed in Portland.
Following this, the LCSO’s Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force launched an investigation. Their inquiry revealed potential criminal activity not only in Oregon, but also across the United States and internationally. As the investigation expanded, authorities were able to locate Bledsoe in Caldwell, Idaho, with the assistance of the Oregon State Police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
On April 3, Bledsoe was arrested by the Caldwell Police Department after the Lane County District Attorney’s Office issued a nationwide arrest warrant. He is currently awaiting extradition back to Lane County, where he faces five counts of first-degree encouraging child sex abuse.
This arrest highlights the increasing role of private investigation groups in identifying and confronting potential predators, as well as the vital coordination between local, state, and federal agencies in tackling child exploitation cases. Law enforcement officials continue to investigate the case, and further details are expected as the legal process moves forward.
