Christopher Purtill
Richard DeschlerAn undercover operation by the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office led to the arrest of a registered sex offender from Ukiah who engaged in explicit conversations with a minor in San Mateo County, according to authorities.
In April 2026, detectives with the Sheriff’s Office, in partnership with the Silicon Valley Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, conducted an undercover chat investigation aimed at identifying and apprehending child predators, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
During the operation, Christopher G. Purtill, 36, of Ukiah, engaged in explicit conversations with the undercover agent in San Mateo County, who was identifying as a 13-year-old boy. Purtill is a convicted felon, a sexual registrant and is on active parole for committing lewd or lascivious acts with a child under the age of 14, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
On May 7, detectives with the Sheriff’s Office, in partnership with the Ukiah Police Department and the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, contacted Purtill near his home in Ukiah and arrested him, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
Anyone with information about this case is encouraged to contact the Sheriff’s Office Investigations Bureau at (650) 599-1536. Anonymous tips can be made by calling (800) 547-2700.
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