A Portland man is facing serious charges for engaging in illegal activities involving minors. Authorities discovered that he attempted to solicit explicit images of a child from a mother, leading to a deeper investigation that uncovered his exploitation of a 7-year-old girl and her teenage sister.
A 55-year-old man, Lyle S. Gage Jr., was taken into custody on Monday, Aug. 5, on charges related to the exploitation of children, including the receipt and possession of child pornography, as well as coercion and enticement of a minor.
In March 2024, the Portland Police Bureau received a report from a concerned citizen regarding a disturbing incident. The citizen stated that she had been contacted through social media by an individual who was soliciting explicit photos of her child in exchange for payment.
The woman rejected the offer and promptly informed the authorities. After conducting the initial investigation, detectives were able to identify Gage as the suspect.
Throughout the following months, detectives obtained warrants and conducted searches on Gage’s electronic devices. Investigators uncovered a disturbing collection of explicit images involving a young girl who was revealed to be just 7 years old. Additionally, they found correspondences between Gage and the girl’s older sister, who is 16 years old.
In early August, investigators discovered the girls’ residence in Wyoming. Local authorities were contacted and successfully located both the girls and their mother.
According to investigators, Gage had allegedly used threats to manipulate the teenage girl into sending him numerous sexually explicit videos over a period of two years.