Spokane Man Arrested in Iowa Child Sex Crimes Case

U.S. Marshals apprehend fugitive wanted on multiple charges including sexual exploitation of a minor

Apr. 4, 2026 at 5:27am

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An extreme close-up photograph of metal handcuffs against a stark black background, capturing the gritty, investigative nature of this crime-related story.The arrest of a suspect wanted for child sex crimes highlights law enforcement's commitment to locating and apprehending those accused of such serious offenses.Spokane Today

A 35-year-old man wanted in Iowa on multiple child sex crime charges was arrested in Spokane, Washington this week by the U.S. Marshals Service Pacific Northwest Violent Offender Task Force. Obet Jally was taken into custody on April 1 and is now awaiting extradition to face charges including sexual exploitation of a minor, enticing a minor under 16 for sexual purposes, and prostitution.

Why it matters

Crimes against children are a top priority for law enforcement, and the U.S. Marshals Service works closely with local and state partners to locate and apprehend fugitives accused of these serious offenses. This arrest highlights the collaborative efforts to bring alleged perpetrators to justice.

The details

According to authorities, Jally had a felony warrant issued out of Dubuque County, Iowa just days before his arrest in Spokane. He was taken into custody near downtown Spokane with assistance from U.S. Border Patrol and the Washington State Department of Corrections. Jally was booked into the Spokane County Jail and is awaiting extradition proceedings to be sent back to Iowa, where his bail was set at $100,000.

  • Jally was arrested on April 1, 2026 in Spokane, Washington.
  • The felony warrant for Jally's arrest was issued just days prior in Dubuque County, Iowa.

The players

Obet Jally

A 35-year-old man wanted in Iowa on multiple child sex crime charges, including sexual exploitation of a minor, enticing a minor under 16 for sexual purposes, and prostitution.

U.S. Marshals Service Pacific Northwest Violent Offender Task Force

A law enforcement task force led by the U.S. Marshals Service that includes federal, state, and local agencies across Washington, Oregon, and Alaska, focused on locating and arresting high-risk fugitives.

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What they’re saying

“The U.S. Marshals Service places the highest priority on locating and apprehending fugitives accused of crimes against children. We remain committed to working alongside our law enforcement partners to help ensure those accused of serious offenses are found and brought before the court.”

— Craig Thayer, U.S. Marshal

What’s next

Jally will face extradition proceedings to be transferred from Spokane to Iowa to answer the charges against him.

The takeaway

This arrest demonstrates the collaborative efforts of law enforcement agencies to prioritize the apprehension of suspects accused of crimes against children and bring them to justice, even across state lines.