NEWS RELEASE

SEASIDE POLICE ARREST INTERNET PREDATOR

Thursday afternoon at approximately 3:30 p.m. Seaside Police and Oregon State Police Detectives arrested Hisham A. Salim age 26 of Astoria outside the Shilo Inn where he expected to meet a fifteen year-old female he met on the internet. At the time of his arrest Salim had already reserved a room and based on other evidence seized during his arrest was planning on having sex with the female.

The arrest comes following several weeks of e-mails between Salim and a Seaside female he believed to be fifteen. Salim initially used My Space to meet the potential victim who was actually an adult helping some friends set up an account on My Space. Based on e-mails sent by Salim, the adult contacted Seaside Police and the case was worked by Seaside Police and Oregon State Police detectives.

Salim will be transferred to the Clatsop County Jail charged with 30 counts of Attempted Sex Abuse III and 30 counts of Attempted Rape III. The case will be referred to the Clatsop County District Attorney for formal changes.

This arrest and other similar arrests in Oregon should be a wake-up call that internet predators can strike anywhere. Parent should take the time to be aware of what their children are doing on the internet and who they are talking with.