Dean Iwahashi

On May 11th, 2017, Fresno County Sheriff’s detectives arrested 64 year old Dean Iwahashi of Fresno.

He has been booked into the Fresno County Jail on felony counts related to the solicitation of a minor for sexual acts.

Last week, it was brought to the attention of the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office that a man was using a popular social media site to try and solicit sex from a 15 year old girl.  Detectives launched an investigation and received assistance from Federal Agents with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and members of the Central California Internet Crimes against Children (ICAC) Task Force.  They identified the man as being Dean Iwahashi, who ultimately agreed through an online chat to meet the 15 year old girl for the purpose of engaging in sexual acts.  

On May 11th, Iwahashi arrived at the meeting spot.  Fresno County Sheriff’s detectives and HSI agents were standing by and immediately took him into custody without incident.

Later in the day, detectives served a search warrant at Iwahashi’s home on the 1300 block of E. Tenaya Ave. in Fresno.  They collected electronic devices, which are now being examined for other possible criminal behavior. 

The Sheriff’s Office would like to remind the public to be vigilant when it comes to visiting websites and social media outlets.  Parents should also monitor their children’s internet usage and be aware of the software apps they are using. Online predators often pretend to be someone else in order to lure their victims in and take advantage of them.  Teach children to be wary of the person on the other end of the chat line; many times people are not who they say they are. Report any suspicious behavior right away to law enforcement.

The Fresno County Sheriff’s Office is the lead agency for the Central California Internet Crimes against Children (ICAC) Task Force.  It is comprised of 60 federal, state and local law enforcement agencies spread throughout nine counties in the Central Valley. It is dedicated to protecting children online and investigating crimes committed against children, which are facilitated by the Internet and computer usage.  To learn more, please visit the ICAC website at www.centralcaliforniaicac.org

Anyone with information on this case or any other child pornography investigation is asked to please contact the Sgt. Jeff Kertson at (559) 600-8144 or call Crime Stoppers at (559) 498-STOP (7867).

 


Contact Information

Tony Botti
Public Information Officer
(559) 600-8137
Tony.Botti@fresnosheriff.org