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Shelton police report two 2025 homicides, spike in Internet‑child‑exploitation cases after joining ICAC
Summary
At a Shelton study session, police leaders reported two homicides in 2025 (one adjudicated, one pending), a jump in Internet Crimes Against Children referrals after joining a regional ICAC task force, and staffing and technology updates including a growing caseload tied to a license‑plate/camera system.
Chief Kosta told the city council at a study session that Shelton recorded two homicides in 2025, one of which was fully adjudicated and the other remains pending with the prosecutor’s office. “We did have 2 homicides in 2025,” he said, and described follow‑up investigative work and forensic analysis that continued after arrests.
Kosta said the department has seen an increase in Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) cases after Shelton detectives joined a regional ICAC task force based in Seattle, noting 11 ICAC‑related cases in 2025 versus three in 2024. “Due to our ability to be part of that team, that’s why we’re seeing those numbers go up,” he said, adding that the task force provides additional resources for investigation and arrests.
The chief and staff also addressed workload, staffing and technology. Shelton is budgeted for 20 sworn officers in 2026 and had 18 on staff at the time of the report; Kosta described the department as “somewhat short‑staffed” but active. He highlighted the department’s use of a camera/analytics system (referred to in the packet as Flock), reporting more than 53 case files since implementation and 10 arrests tied to that system.
Councilors asked about a roughly 1,500‑call drop in calls‑for‑service year‑to‑year; staff said the decline could reflect different reporting channels (app‑based reports or myCivic submissions) or changes in officer handling and that a deeper review is needed. Staff also warned they are monitoring two state bills in the House and Senate that would restrict how license‑plate‑reader infrastructure can be used and how long data may be retained.
Kosta reviewed several major investigations and outcomes: a February 2025 homicide investigated over about five months and resolved by plea; a May 2025 stabbing that led to a guilty plea; and a long theft/fraud investigation tied to Shelton Memorial Park that began in May 2023 and involved roughly $300,000 in alleged proceeds, which recently resulted in a guilty verdict and a sentencing scheduled for next month.
On enforcement related to the city’s camping ordinance, staff said notices and warnings have increased and arrests have been relatively limited; the transcript records that arrested individuals in the cited incidents were not provided additional housing or behavioral‑health placements as part of those arrests. Council members and staff emphasized that many behavioral‑health services require the individual’s voluntary participation.
The council did not take formal action on these reports at the study session; staff said they will add monthly data to ongoing study sessions and provide deeper breakdowns on request, including staffing metrics and case‑processing time where feasible.
