Vancouver Police Arrest Baby Rapist

Vancouver, Wash. –On October 16, 2019, at approximately 2:00 p.m., the Vancouver Police Digital Evidence Cybercrime Unit (DECU), which includes detectives from the Vancouver Police Department and a Special Agent from the Homeland Security Investigations, received a Priority-1 Cybertip through the Internet Crimes Against Children’s Task Force.  A Priority-1 Cybertip is rare and typically indicates immediate danger to a child. The Cybertip was generated by the app “Discord”, an online chat and media distribution service that primarily serves the online gaming community.  Discord found communications and video being shared on one of their channels that detailed the sexual assault of an infant by an adult male. These graphic child sexual abuse videos had never before been seen by National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), which is a strong indicator that the abuse was recent and likely being conducted by the person uploading the content.

The IP address reported by Discord returned to location in Washougal. Based on the grave concern for the safety of the infant, exigent information requests were utilized to obtain information from various internet service providers and Discord to assist detectives in identifying the suspect, Stephen Rian Price, 26.

DECU Detectives obtained a search warrant for the residence, which was served at 9:00 p.m. The infant was transported to an area hospital for immediate medical attention and was taken into protective custody.

Stephen Rian Price was arrested and booked into the Clark County Jail for:

1.)        Rape of a Child, RCW 9A.44.073 (x 5)

2.)        Child Molestation 1st Degree, (RCW 9A.44.083) (x1)

3.)        Sexual Exploitation of a Minor, RCW 9.68A.040 (x3)

4.)        Possession of Child Pornography First Degree, RCW 9.68A.070 (x4)

5.)        Distribution of Child Pornography First Degree, RCW 9.68A.050 (x3)

The investigation revealed that in addition to the sexual abuse and production of child pornography of an infant child, evidence was obtained of the rape and production of child pornography involving a second infant.

DECU detectives will continue to investigate this case to locate other potential victims and identify other persons involved in the sharing of child sexual abuse content in the Discord chat room.

Due to circumstances involving the suspect abusing and creating child pornography with local victims, detectives believe there are likely additional victims who have yet to be identified or located. Anyone with information related to this case, or of the existence of other potential victims is asked to contact the Vancouver Police Department Tip Line at (360) 487-7399. A photo of Stephen Rian Price is also attached.

The arrest of this suspect and the rescue of this infant would not have been possible without the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and the cooperation of Discord. Also, thanks to the Washougal Police Department and the Department of Homeland Security for their assistance.