Cantwell aide arrested for attempting to sexually exploit a minor

James Michael McHaney, an aide to Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) until he was fired Friday, was arrested for attempting to sexually exploit a teenage boy.

{mosads}McHaney was fired from his job as Cantwell’s scheduler hours after the arrest. In a charging document, the FBI said McHaney, known as “Mike,” allegedly tried to set up a meeting with an undercover witness posing as someone who could give him access to sex with a 13-year-old boy.

McHaney appeared in federal court Saturday and is being held without bond pending a court hearing Wednesday, according to an Associated Press report.

The news was first reported on thesmokingun.com.

According to a court document, a cooperating witness informed the FBI that he suspected McHaney had a sexual interest in male minors because he previously had exchanged images of child pornography with him.

The FBI then set up an online sting operation. On Nov. 30 at 12:30 a.m. the undercover witness initiated contact online and asked whether McHaney was going to be at work all day. McHaney allegedly said he could take a lunch, and then the witness asked whether he was interested in engaging in anal sex with a 13-year-old boy. McHaney allegedly responded: “I’ll be there,” and asked whether the witness had a photograph of the child with whom he and the witness were going to have sex. McHaney was arrested at the lobby of the predetermined location at 1:30 p.m.

Cantwell chief of staff Michael Meehan issued a statement Monday about McHaney’s arrest.

“Late Friday afternoon the FBI informed our office that a Senate employee was arrested,” he said in the statement. “The employee was immediately fired. Our office has and will continue to fully cooperate with the ongoing federal criminal investigation. Senator Cantwell has zero tolerance for crimes against children.”