Portland police arrest child predator after texting, attempting to meet 14-year-old girl

Published 1:03 pm Tuesday, December 17, 2024

Samuel Digiovanni was arrested on Tuesday, Dec. 17, after attempting to meet a 14-year-old girl at a Portland area park. 

The 35-year-old reportedly chatted with the girl online for several weeks using a social media app, then moving to texting, before attempting to meet up with her at a local park, which he intended to then take her to his residence. 

Digiovanni is lodged at the Multnomah County Detention Center on charges of luring a minor; first-degree online sexual corruption of a child; third-degree attempted rape; third-degree attempted sodomy; and attempted using a child in display of sexually explicit conduct. 

Portland’s Special Emergency Reaction Team assisted Portland Police Bureau’s Child Abuse Team and its Internet Crimes Against Children Unit in serving an arrest warrant and search warrant in Northwest Portland. 

According to police, the number of national reported online enticement incidents has risen 300% between 2021 and 2023. 

Anyone with information about Digiovanni or this case is urged to contact Detective Angela Hollan at angela.hollan@police.portlandoregon.gov and reference case number 24-802571.