PIERCE COUNTY, Wash. — A 40-year-old man from Pierce County, Washington, has been indicted on charges of attempted enticement of a minor and production of child sexual abuse images.
Acting U.S. Attorney Teal Luthy Miller announced Randy Lee Young was taken into federal custody on April 24, following his arrest on November 16, 2024, after he allegedly arranged to meet with a mother he believed would provide her young daughters for sexual assaults.
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Young was apprehended in Marysville, Washington, where he had traveled to meet the supposed mother – who was actually an undercover law enforcement officer.
Court records show that Young communicated with the undercover officer, who posed as the mother of 8 and 11-year-old daughters, through text messages between November 8 and 15, 2024. Young drove from Pierce County to Marysville, where he was arrested. He was initially held in the Snohomish County Jail until federal charges were filed.
A forensic review of Young’s cell phone revealed images of child sexual abuse that he had produced.
Young consented to a search of his cell phone, where investigators found images of sexual abuse of a minor. The investigation revealed that in October and November 2024, Young met a 13-year-old online, traveled to her hometown in southwest Washington seven times, and videotaped sex acts with her. Text messages showed that the victim had informed Young of her age.
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Young pleaded not guilty in court and remains detained at the Federal Detention Center in SeaTac. His trial is set for July 14, 2025, before U.S. District Judge Lauren King.
Attempted enticement of a minor carries a potential life sentence with a mandatory minimum of ten years imprisonment. Production of child sexual abuse images is punishable by a mandatory minimum of 15 years in prison and up to life imprisonment.
