21-05-2025
Man traveled over 100 miles to WA hotel intending to sexually abuse kids, feds say
A man is accused of traveling over 100 miles from Oregon to Washington to sexually abuse two children, federal prosecutors said.
But the children were fictitious, and Marc David McCool was greeted by law enforcement instead, according to prosecutors, who said McCool is now heading to prison.
The 64-year-old, from Portland, was sentenced to four years behind bars in connection with traveling with the intent to engage in a sexual act with a minor, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Western District of Washington said in a May 20 news release.
McClatchy News reached out to McCool's attorney for comment May 20 and was awaiting a response.
During sentencing, McCool said 'his life has been forever changed' and he hopes to undergo treatment during his time behind bars, per the news release.
In 2024, an undercover agent – posing as a 'taboo mommy' – posted an ad online as part of an operation to find people with 'a sexualized interest in children,' according to a plea agreement.
Interested parties were asked to respond to a Kik account, the plea agreement said.
McCool reached out and said he'd travel for sexual activity with the 'mom's' two young kids, the plea agreement said.
'Over more than six weeks of 'chats' via the Kik messenger app, McCool described his sexual interest in children,' prosecutors said.
He eventually took a train to Seattle to meet the agent and 'kids' at a hotel 'for the purpose of engaging in sexual activity,' the plea agreement said.
Agents arrested him there, according to the plea agreement, which said he had stuffed animals, condoms, baby oil and rope with him.
McClatchy News couldn't immediately reach MediaLab, which owns Kik, on May 20 for comment.
McCool's prison time is to be followed by 15 years of supervised release, prosecutors said.
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