On March 21, 2025, at about 1100 hours, a civilian vigilante group called 911 to report a sexual predator sting that they were conducting. See press release here: https://bit.ly/3GIvJ71
The vigilante group reported to be confronting the alleged perpetrator inside the Albany Walmart store. Dispatch informed the caller, as per Department directive, Albany Police officers were not going to respond without further imperative information. The caller advised they were confronting the alleged perpetrator anyway. Sgt. Bell, the Watch Supervisor at the time, and APD officers were informed through dispatch that the suspect, Charles Mellick, had a felony arrest warrant and immediately responded to apprehend the suspect on the confirmed arrest warrant, which they did. Taking the suspect into custody on a confirmed arrest warrant would allow Sgt. Bell and his officers to receive and analyze the vigilante group’s allegations and evidence.
It is best practice and this Department’s procedure for APD officers to vet the investigation on its merits, ascertain if there is probable cause to support an arrest, and if so, develop a plan to safely apprehend the offender while upholding the laws and procedures of the criminal justice system. The vigilante group wanted the arrest of the sexual predator in their sting immediately, and when that did not occur, the group wrongfully accused Sgt. Bell and his officers of the Albany Police Department of not investigating the criminal case of online corruption (their operation).
The vigilante group then created a scene at Walmart and later accused the police of being “pedophile protectors”. Due to the disruption, the store employee(s) requested the group be trespassed from the store, which was relayed to the vigilante group by APD officers at the scene. The vigilante group then responded to the Albany Police Department and demanded a case number and an explanation for not investigating the case to their satisfaction. Sgt. Bell attempted to explain the reporting process, provided business cards containing emails and QR codes in order to submit their allegations and evidence.
These interactions were filmed and posted on social media, and portions were livestreamed to fuel their viral content, but often make legal justice harder to attain. The content was edited to support their accusations, which was later released on their website. Despite the fact Sgt. Bell and his officers followed all policies and procedures, misinformation and sensationalism resulted in aggressive online and phone harassment of APD officers and professional staff.
We understand society’s frustration with the gravity of crimes against children and sentencing practices in our State, but these crimes must be investigated thoroughly and relentlessly to get the criminal justice outcome we all want. If proper procedures are not followed these delicate cases could potentially result in the inability to prosecute the offender.
On May 5, 2025, Charles Mellick (34), the suspect in this case, was arrested after APD’s own thorough investigation. Charles Mellick has been in custody continuously since his arrest on 03/21/25. This is an example of how to investigate these cases correctly by lawfully, objectivity, and thoroughly pursuing evidence, so that accused perpetrators are held accountable, and victims have an opportunity for justice. Charles Mellick has been arrested for Online Sexual Corruption of a Child in the First Degree and Second Degree as detectives believe Charles Mellick violated elements of both crimes on multiple days between March 16, 2025, and March 21, 2025.
An Albany Police detective immediately began investigating this case. The detective conducted several interviews and applied for multiple search warrants which led to the seizure of credible evidence. Charles Mellick initiated online communication with whom he believed to be a 13-year-old girl. The evidence showed he gave a verbal description or narrative account of sexual conduct he wanted to do with the purported 13-year-old girl. Charles Mellick agreed to and willingly traveled from Corvallis, Benton County, OR to meet with the 13-year-old and engage in sexual contact. Additional crimes, however, were also uncovered during the in-depth investigation which may lead to further criminal charges as the investigation continues.
Chief Marcia Harnden confirms, “Our officers acted appropriately and followed best practices. We investigate these crimes the right way to bring about justice, not make money on social media platforms.” This is an example of how to investigate these cases correctly by lawfully, objectively, and thoroughly pursuing evidence, so that offenders are held accountable, and victims have an opportunity for justice. Charles Mellick is currently being held in the Benton County Jail.
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