Seattle psychologist charged with seeking sex with 12-year-old child

SEATTLE - A practicing psychologist employed with a Seattle medical group was charged in federal court Wednesday with the attempted enticement of a minor, the result of a two-week investigation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).

Johnathan Brent Wulf, 61, posted an ad on Craigslist, beginning a conversation with an undercover HSI special agent. Using both the phone and the Internet, Wulf expressed his desire to have sex with the agent’s fictional 12-year-old stepdaughter. He was arrested by HSI Tuesday as he arrived at the hotel selected as the meeting place for the sexual encounter.

According to the criminal complaint, over a two-week period earlier this month, Wulf repeatedly communicated with the HSI special agent about his desire to have sex with the agent’s fictional 12-year-old stepdaughter. Wulf repeatedly suggested that all text messages or other Internet communications regarding his interest in underage sex should be deleted. The defendant also acknowledged that pursuing sex with a minor was illegal.

Attempted enticement of a minor is punishable by a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison and a maximum prison term of life. Wulf is currently in custody, pending a detention hearing Friday.

This investigation was conducted under HSI’s Operation Predator, an international initiative to protect children from sexual predators. Since the launch of Operation Predator in 2003, HSI has arrested more than 10,000 individuals for crimes against children, including the production and distribution of online child pornography, traveling overseas for sex with minors, and sex trafficking of children. In fiscal year 2014, more than 2,300 individuals were arrested by HSI special agents under this initiative and more than 1,000 victims identified or rescued.

HSI encourages the public to report suspected child predators and any suspicious activity through its toll-free tip line at 1-866-DHS-2-ICE or by completing its online tip form. From outside the U.S. and Canada, callers should dial 802-872-6199. Hearing impaired users can call TTY 802-872-6196.Both are staffed around the clock by investigators. Suspected child sexual exploitation or missing children may be reported to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, an Operation Predator partner, via its toll-free 24-hour hotline, 1-800-THE-LOST.

For additional information about wanted suspected child predators, download HSI’s Operation Predator smartphone app or visit the online suspect alerts page.