Man accused of soliciting child for sex

By Cathy Logg

Herald Writer

An Everett man who officials say claims to have had sex with children as young as 17 months old took a bus to California allegedly to have sex with an 11-year-old girl. Instead, FBI agents greeted him at the bus station and arrested him.

Donald Leroy Keffler, 41, of Everett has been charged in a federal complaint filed in U.S. District Court in Sacramento, Calif., with two federal charges, one of which could send him to prison for life.

The charges are traveling in interstate commerce for the purpose of engaging in sexual acts with someone less than 12 years old, and crossing at least one state line to engage in sexual acts with someone under 12.

Keffler was arrested about 11 p.m. Monday in Marysville, Calif., north of Sacramento, FBI spokesman Ray Lauer said Thursday.

Agents seized Keffler’s luggage, which contained two hard drives he reportedly planned to connect to the girl’s computer to show her pictures and movies.

He made an initial appearance in federal court Tuesday and was scheduled to return today for a detention hearing. He remains in the Sacramento County Jail.

Keffler reportedly met a girl he believed to be 11 through an Internet chat room. But she actually was a woman who has acted as an informant in child pornography cases in Arizona and Kentucky, pretending to be young girls in chat rooms.

She told an FBI agent in late April that she had been chatting with a Washington man named Don who used the screen name "Familiar Spirit." She later told them his last name and phone number, that he lives in Everett, and that he was a sheet metal worker who works 12-hour days on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

The man told her he had met a woman online who had a 17-month-old daughter and that he had been molesting the girl, the complaint says.

He also allegedly told her that he had friends in Oak Harbor who have two boys, ages 2 and 5, whom both he and the boys’ parents have been molesting. The mother runs a child sex chat room, the informant said the man told her.

Keffler allegedly sent the woman numerous pictures that appear to depict child pornography, including some he claimed were of himself having sex with very young children, the complaint says.

The informant turned over to agents three computer disks she said she received from Keffler. They contained several photographs and an online conversation between Familiar Spirit and the informant, using a screen name. In the conversation, Familiar Spirit tells her that she won’t be a virgin within minutes after meeting him and that she would be his sex kitten, the complaint says.

One photograph on the disk labeled "Don.jpg" shows a man who looks like Keffler’s driver’s license photograph, the complaint says. It alleges another shows a toddler girl with a man in an obscene position. Keffler told the girl he took the picture, the complaint says.

Keffler allegedly made a reservation at a motel in Yuba City, near Marysville, Calif., so that he would be within walking distance of the girl’s school. He planned to walk to her house to meet her and take her back to his motel, the complaint says.

You can call Herald Writer Cathy Logg at 425-339-3437

or send e-mail to logg@heraldnet.com.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Customers enter and exit the Costco on Dec. 2, 2022, in Lake Stevens. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Costco stores could be impacted by looming truck driver strike threat

Truck drivers who deliver groceries and produce to Costco warehouses… Continue reading

Two Washington State ferries pass along the route between Mukilteo and Clinton as scuba divers swim near the shore Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Ferry system increases ridership by a half million in 2024

Edmonds-Kingston route remains second-busiest route in the system.

Alina Langbehn, 6, center, and Vera A., 6, right, sit on a swing together at Drew Nielsen Neighborhood Park after school on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett council votes to renovate Drew Nielsen Park

Construction on the $345,000 upgrade could start as early as this fall.

Northshore School District bus driver Stewart O’Leary pictured next to his buses shattered drivers side windshield on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025 in Bothell, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘Put me in, coach’: Bus driver back at work after struck by metal bar

Stewart O’Leary, a Northshore employee, has received national attention for his composure during a frightening bus trip.

Lynnwood councilor Joshua Binda speaks during a Lynnwood City Council meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Does the Lynnwood Council VP live in Lynnwood? It’s hard to say.

Josh Binda’s residency has been called into question following an eviction and FEC filings listing an Everett address. He insists he lives in Lynnwood.

Robin Cain with 50 of her marathon medals hanging on a display board she made with her father on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Running a marathon is hard. She ran one in every state.

Robin Cain, of Lake Stevens, is one of only a few thousand people to ever achieve the feat.

People line up to grab food at the Everett Recovery Cafe on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Coffee, meals and compassion are free at the Everett Recovery Cafe

The free, membership-based day center offers free coffee and meals and more importantly, camaraderie and recovery support.

The Everett Wastewater Treatment Plant along the Snohomish River on Thursday, June 16, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett water, sewer rates could jump 43% by 2028

The rate hikes would pay for improvements to the city’s sewer infrastructure.

The bond funded new track and field at Northshore Middle School on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024 in Bothell, Washington. (Courtesy of Northshore School District)
Northshore School District bond improvements underway

The $425 million bond is funding new track and field complexes, playgrounds and phase one of two school replacements.

An American Robin picks a berry from a holly tree on Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Calling all birders for the annual Great Backyard Bird Count

The Audubon Society will hold its 28th annual Great Backyard… Continue reading

A view of one of the potential locations of the new Aquasox stadium on Monday, Feb. 26, 2024 in Everett, Washington. The site sits between Hewitt Avenue, Broadway, Pacific Avenue and the railroad. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Initial prep work for AquaSox stadium to start, with $200k price tag

The temporary agreement allows some surveying and design work as the city negotiates contracts with designers and builders.

Aaron Kennedy / The Herald
The Joann Fabric and Crafts store at 7601 Evergreen Way, Everett, is one of three stores in Snohomish County that will close as part of the retailer’s larger plan to shutter more than half of its stores nationwide.
Joann store closure plan includes Everett, Arlington, Lynnwood locations

The retail giant filed a motion in court to close approximately 500 stores in the U.S.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.