A former Vernonia police chief was arrested Wednesday, accused of felony sex abuse charges involving a 13-year-old girl.
Gene Baska, 62, of Vernonia, was taken into custody following a traffic stop and later charged with luring a minor and attempt to commit sex abuse, both felonies.
He bailed out of jail and was ordered not to contact the victim or her family.
Deputies said they were notified after a sexually explicit message was allegedly transmitted digitally to the victim from Baska.
http://liarcatchers.com/pedophile_tracking.html
Investigators then obtained a warrant for digital images, motion pictures, videos, photographs, audio recordings, text messages and call records linked to Baska, deputies said.
They also searched his home at 16802, Keasey Road, in Vernonia Wednesday night and seized electronic equipment related to the investigation.
Deputies are trying to determine if there could be more victims. They are urging anyone with information that may help investigators to call the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office’s recorded Tip Line at (503) 366-4698 as soon as possible.
