Albany Police Arrest Suspect in Child Predator Sting After Vigilante Group Interference
ALBANY, OR – Charles H. Mellick, a 34-year-old Corvallis man, was arrested on May 5, 2025, for Online Sexual Corruption of a Child in the First and Second Degrees following an investigation by the Albany Police Department (APD). The arrest stems from events that began on March 21, 2025, when a civilian vigilante group conducted a sexual predator sting at the Albany Walmart, confronting Mellick while filming for their social media channel.
The vigilante group, posing as a 13-year-old girl online, reported that Mellick initiated 
communication, described sexual acts he intended to perform, and traveled from Corvallis to Albany to meet the purported minor for sexual contact between March 16 and March 21, 2025. However, the group failed to follow APD guidelines, calling police only after the sting was underway, which compromised the investigation. APD officers arrested Mellick on an outstanding felony warrant at the scene and later trespassed the group from Walmart due to the disruption they caused. The vigilantes accused APD of inaction, labeling officers “pedophile protectors” online, leading to harassment of APD staff.
communication, described sexual acts he intended to perform, and traveled from Corvallis to Albany to meet the purported minor for sexual contact between March 16 and March 21, 2025. However, the group failed to follow APD guidelines, calling police only after the sting was underway, which compromised the investigation. APD officers arrested Mellick on an outstanding felony warrant at the scene and later trespassed the group from Walmart due to the disruption they caused. The vigilantes accused APD of inaction, labeling officers “pedophile protectors” online, leading to harassment of APD staff.
APD’s investigation, involving interviews and search warrants, confirmed Mellick’s actions. He has been in custody since March 21, 2025, and is now held in Benton County Jail, with additional charges possible. Chief Marcia Harnden emphasized that APD followed proper procedures to ensure justice, stating, “We investigate these crimes the right way to bring about justice, not make money on social media platforms.” APD advises reporting crimes against children to CyberTipLine.org, 1-800-THE-LOST, or local police.
Risks of Vigilante Justice
The incident highlights the dangers of vigilante justice, particularly in sensitive cases involving crimes against children. APD stressed that untrained civilians engaging in such activities can jeopardize prosecutions by deviating from legal procedures, potentially leading to evidence being inadmissible in court. These actions also pose significant safety risks, as confrontations can escalate unpredictably, endangering the vigilantes, the public, and even law enforcement. Moreover, the vigilante group’s decision to livestream and post edited content online for viral attention fueled misinformation, resulting in harassment of APD officers and staff. This underscores how vigilante efforts, while well-intentioned, can hinder justice and create broader community harm rather than support the legal process.
The incident highlights the dangers of vigilante justice, particularly in sensitive cases involving crimes against children. APD stressed that untrained civilians engaging in such activities can jeopardize prosecutions by deviating from legal procedures, potentially leading to evidence being inadmissible in court. These actions also pose significant safety risks, as confrontations can escalate unpredictably, endangering the vigilantes, the public, and even law enforcement. Moreover, the vigilante group’s decision to livestream and post edited content online for viral attention fueled misinformation, resulting in harassment of APD officers and staff. This underscores how vigilante efforts, while well-intentioned, can hinder justice and create broader community harm rather than support the legal process.
Legal Consequences for Vigilantes
Vigilante actions can lead to serious legal repercussions for those involved. In Oregon, vigilantes may face charges such as harassment, disorderly conduct, or trespassing, as seen when the group was trespassed from Walmart for causing a disturbance. If their actions involve impersonation or entrapment, they could be liable for defamation or civil lawsuits from the accused if the allegations are mishandled or false. Additionally, interfering with a police investigation may result in charges of obstruction of justice. These legal risks highlight the importance of leaving investigations to trained law enforcement to ensure both safety and justice are upheld.
Vigilante actions can lead to serious legal repercussions for those involved. In Oregon, vigilantes may face charges such as harassment, disorderly conduct, or trespassing, as seen when the group was trespassed from Walmart for causing a disturbance. If their actions involve impersonation or entrapment, they could be liable for defamation or civil lawsuits from the accused if the allegations are mishandled or false. Additionally, interfering with a police investigation may result in charges of obstruction of justice. These legal risks highlight the importance of leaving investigations to trained law enforcement to ensure both safety and justice are upheld.
Information from Albany Oregon Police - Editorialized sections of this article were provided by the author
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