Milton-Freewater man arrested after allegedly attempting to meet minor for sexual encounter
By Griffin Beach on Thursday, April 16th, 2026 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
MILTON-FREEWATER – A 31-year-old Milton-Freewater man was arrested Wednesday after Umatilla County Sheriff’s were contacted by staff at Weston-McEwen High School after a student there said they were receiving lewd messages.
Deputies contacted the victim on April 3 and identified the suspect as Humberto Salas Torres, and determined that Salas Torres planned to meet the victim for a sexual encounter. Investigators went to the location at the specified date and time of the meeting where they contacted Salas Torres.
Sallas Torres attempted to flee but was taken into custody. He was taken to Umatilla County jail on charges of first-degree online corruption of a child, luring a minor, resisting arrest, and second-degree attempted escape. The case has been referred to the Umatilla County District Attorney’s Office
According to the Umatilla County jail roster Salas Torres was still incarcerated as of Thursday afternoon with no bail amount listed. It says he was arrested at the Out West Motel north of Milton-Freewater on Highway 11.
“This incident highlights the phenomenal investigative work our deputies and detectives engage in every day,” Umatilla County Sheriff’s said in a release.
