On Tuesday, August 13, 2019, FBI agents arrested Thang Minh Van, 22, of Corvallis, in connection with an investigation begun by the Benton County Sheriff’s Office earlier this year. On July 3, 2019, the Benton County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant at Van’s home in the 3900 block of NW Walnut Place in Corvallis. The search warrant was related to the alleged illegal distribution of child sexual abuse material over the internet. At that time, deputies seized numerous computers and electronic devices. Following a joint investigation by the Benton County Sheriff’s Office and the FBI, agents obtained a federal criminal complaint charging Van with distribution and possession of child pornography. The arrest on Tuesday was without incident. Following Van’s initial appearance before a federal magistrate in Eugene, the judge released Van on pre-trial supervision. His next scheduled court appearance is on October 9th. The FBI and the Benton County Sheriff’s Office encourage the public to report any suspected child sexual abuse material online to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) at http://CyberTipline.org. NCMEC continuously reviews CyberTipline reports to ensure that reports of children who may be in imminent danger get first priority. After NCMEC’s review is completed, all information in a CyberTipline report is made available to law enforcement.The Corvallis Police Department and the Linn County Sheriff’s Office assisted with the investigation with help from the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children.
