Another Sex Ring Suspect from 2017 Convicted, Sentenced
The sex sting operation conducted by area law enforcement last summer drew a lot of attention, especially after it nabbed over 20 suspects. They were seeking a variety of illegal and shocking sexual activities.
One of the suspects, 70-year-old Thomas Swarers, was convicted and sentenced in court this week. He will face a minimum of 9 years in prison and will register as a sex offender for the rest of his life once he gets out. He was convicted in Benton County Superior Court.
He was convicted of answering and pursuing a sting online ad that offered sexual activity with a 6 and 11-year-old child, reportedly while the mother would watch.
He brought a variety of sexual 'tools' to the home where he thought the mother and children would be waiting, but instead found himself face down on the floor after law enforcement officials nailed him.
The multi-agency task force was made up of officers from the Tri-Cities police departments, federal agents and county sheriff's.