FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wednesday, February 12, 2020

Contact: Jessie Knudsen, jessie.knudsen@co.thurston.wa.us

Olympia, WA - A registered sex offender from Aberdeen was sentenced in Thurston County Superior Court to life in prison for attempted rape of a child in the second degree and communication with a minor for immoral purposes.

The charges against Curtis Pouncy, 59, stemmed from an investigation known as "Operation Net Nanny," spearheaded by the WSP's Missing and Exploited Children Task Force. Since the statewide operation originated in August of 2015, the task force has made over 290 arrests and rescued more than 30 children across the state. In addition to Pouncy, the most recent Net Nanny sweep in February of 2019 netted 21 dangerous sexual predators who targeted children in Thurston County.

Pouncy was arrested after he arranged to meet an undercover detective who he thought was a 13-year old girl using social media. Leading up to their meeting in Olympia, he discussed sexual acts he would perform on the 13-year old girl via messages and phone conversations. Upon arriving at the agreed upon location, Pouncy immediately attempted to kiss the undercover detective.

On February 3, 2020, a jury convicted Pouncy of attempted rape of a child in the second degree and communication with a minor for immoral purposes. Thurston County Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Olivia Zhou asked for life in prison without the possibility of parole based on his criminal history. Prior to the net nanny charges, Pouncy registered as a Level 3 sex offender with a high risk to reoffend in 2018. He was convicted of first-degree rape and rape in the second degree in 1983 and unlawful imprisonment in King County in 1998.

"I am satisfied that justice prevailed in this case and grateful for the hard work of the Washington State Patrol's Missing and Exploited Children's Task Force. Without their extraordinary efforts, this individual would still be on the streets preying on the children in our community," Zhou said.

On February 12, 2020 Judge James Dixon imposed a sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole.