SPD investigation into child sex crimes leads to arrest in Florida suspect was former teacher at religious school in Spokane extradition to Washington State pending

Tyrone L. Cliff, 38, was arrested in Florida on October 28, 2025, for felony charges associated with possessing material depicting child sexual abuse. The investigation, initiated by the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) unit in August, followed a CyberTip that alerted authorities to Cliff's online behavior. Detectives identified him as a former teacher at a Spokane religious school, prompting further investigation. As detectives prepared to serve search warrants at his Spokane residence, they discovered Cliff had relocated to Florida.

The collaborative effort between the Spokane Police Department, Tampa Police Department, and Florida Department of Law Enforcement led to his swift arrest. Currently, Cliff is being held at Hillsborough County Jail, pending extradition back to Washington State. This case underscores the ongoing vigilance of law enforcement against child exploitation and the importance of inter-agency cooperation. The apprehension of Cliff represents a significant step in addressing child sexual abuse material distribution.