Five Arrested In Undercover Online Sex Predator Sting
During the stings, the suspects communicated with undercover detectives that were posing as underage boys and girls on multiple social media sites. According to officers, the offenders arranged to meet the undercover detectives who were posing as underage children for illegal sexual activity.
The five men arrested and charged were:
Scott Brule, 49, of Dallas, NC, who is charged with Solicit a Minor by a Computer for Unlawful Sexual Activity and Appearing and Disseminating Obscene Material to a Minor.
Roger Collins, 53, of Fort Mill, SC, who is charged with Solicit a Minor by a Computer for Unlawful Sexual Activity and Appearing.
Caleb Disorda, 28, of Vale, NC, who is charged with Solicit a Minor by a Computer for Unlawful Sexual Activity and Appearing.
James Ritter, III, 48, Indian Trail, NC, who is charged with Solicit a Minor by a Computer for Unlawful Sexual Activity and Appearing.
John Woods, 51, China Grove, NC, who is charged with Solicit a Minor by a Computer for Unlawful Sexual Activity and Appearing and Disseminating Obscene Material to a Minor.
Officials say 21 suspects have been arrested so far as a result of the sting operations in 2016, and over 40 total since the Lincolnton Police Department began conducting such operations. All of the previously arrested suspects have either pleaded or been found guilty of their charges, except for one.
βThe goal of these operations is to protect our children. This type of proactive approach will hopefully make some potential offenders think twice about setting up arrangements to meet a child. If these operations prevent one child from being abused then it is successfulβ again said Lt. Munday.
