A Portland man has been arrested and is charged with federal sex crimes involving children following a months-long investigation.
In March 2024, a concerned citizen reported to the Portland Police Bureau that she was contacted via social media by an individual offering to pay her for nude images of her child. The woman declined the offer and alerted authorities. Through the initial investigation, detectives identified a suspect, Lyle G. Gage Jr., 55, of Portland.
Over the course of the next several months, detectives obtained search warrants that allowed them to search Gage’s devices. Not only did detectives find numerous nude images of a girl later determined to be only seven-years-old, but they also discovered emails between Gage and the girl’s 16-year-old sister.
In early August, detectives determined the girls lived in Wyoming and they enlisted assistance from local authorities who located both the girls and their mother. Investigators determined that Gage used the threat of harm to coerce the teen into sending him hundreds of sexually explicit videos throughout the course of the previous two years.
On Monday, August 5, 2024, with assistance from Central Precinct’s Neighborhood Response Team and patrol officers, Gage was arrested on the following federal charges: Sexual Exploitation of Children, Receipt of Child Pornography, Possession of Child Pornography, and Coercion and Enticement of a Minor. Gage is currently in the custody of U.S. Marshals.
PPB would like to thank Homeland Security Investigations, Internet Crimes Against Children Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation, and the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon for assistance with this case.
Authorities fear there could be additional victims. If you believe you are a victim, or know anything about this case, you are urged to contact Officer Aaron Rizzo at aaron.rizzo@police.portlandoregon.gov .
Source: Portland Police