July 13, 2023 - San Diego Police Department officials report that the San Diego Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (SDICAC), led by the San Diego Police Department and assisted by the California Department of Correction and Rehabilitation, recently arrested a 31-year-old male from Irvine, CA following a proactive investigation in an online chat.

An undercover SDICAC investigator was contacted by the suspect, a sex registrant on parole, while posing as a teenager on an application designed for teens to socialize and chat. Shortly after contacting the investigator's online persona, the suspect began to engage in illicit conversations, ultimately requesting to meet and sexually assault the twelve-year-old girl. The male took the additional step of attempting to order a rideshare to drive the child from San Diego to Irvine. Instead of meeting the child, CDCR Parole Agents and SDICAC Investigators traveled to Irvine, CA where they arrested the male, who was booked into jail for several offenses, including attempted lewd acts with a child under the age of fourteen, meeting with the intent to assault a child sexually, and a violation of parole.

SDICAC encourages parents to be a part of their children's digital world, know the applications they are using, and who they are speaking to online.

To report child sexual exploitation or enticement, file a CyberTip report with the National Center For Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC). Reports may be made 24 hours a day, 7 days a week online at www.cybertipline.org.

Source & photo: San Diego Police Department