BLAINE, Wash. — A search warrant served on a Blaine residence earlier this year uncovered over 200 images described to be child pornography.
According to an affidavit of probable cause prepared by Bellingham Police and submitted in Whatcom County Superior Court by prosecutors, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in Blaine received a tip in October 2019 from the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force Seattle office. Based on the tip, they were able to obtain a federal search warrant in January 2020 from the Western District Court of Washington to search a Blaine address for evidence of the receipt or distribution of child pornography.
In January 2020, Agents contacted a man at the residence and seized computer electronics and media. These were examined by an HSI computer forensic analyst. The search of the hardware seized and an online storage account found approximately 245 child pornography images and videos. These were sent to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children which reported back in April 2021 that 50 of the photos and videos showed identified child victims.
The evidence was transferred to the Bellingham Police Department.
Jon Thomas Lakey, age 46, was arrested by Bellingham Police on November 3rd and charged with suspicion of possessing child pornography, a felony. He posted a $1,000 cash bond and was released from custody after making a court appearance. An arraignment hearing is scheduled later this month.