Whatcom County Sheriff’s and the Whatcom Gang and Drug Task Force had been investigating one of the suspects since the summer.
The suspect made various claims of child physical and sexual abuse, all of which were found to be false.
Following his prison sentence, the offender will be required to register as a sex offender.
The man was arrested for communicating with a minor for immoral purposes.
The man was sentenced to 40 years in prison followed by three years of community custody.
The Blaine Police Department says officers were called to a report of a strong-arm robbery in progress at Rite Aid around 8 p.m. on Oct. 17.
The man arrested remains in Whatcom County Jail without bail.
Customs and Border Patrol searched the suspect’s phone at the border in Blaine.
The man is connected to 28 total retail thefts in Bellingham over a 180-day period.
The man initially arrested and charged at WWU was released from Whatcom County Jail on Oct. 15.
