Westlake Police Target Child Predators

Information courtesy of the Westlake Police Department, www.facebook.com/westlakepolice

Recently the Westlake Police Department has been targeting those who want to prey upon some of our most vulnerable citizens – our children. We recognize, and “experts say the pandemic and isolation makes kids more vulnerable” to predators online. Utilizing popular social media platforms, WPD investigators have identified 2 males who were actually willing to travel to meet underage persons for sex:

On 4/30/20, a Cleveland 26yo male traveled to Westlake to meet up with a purported 15yo female for an alleged illicit sexual encounter. He was arrested that day by Westlake officers. On 6/25/20, a 48yo Fairview Park male traveled to Westlake to pick up a female whom he believed was 15yo as well. He was arrested that day by Westlake officers. Both were indicted by the Cuyahoga County Grand Jury on 9/22/2020. Charges include Attempted Unlawful Sexual Conduct with a Minor, Importuning and Possessing Criminal Tools. Westlake PD will continue to seek out and prosecute to the fullest extent of the law any who wish to prey upon our kids. We ask that parents/guardians take a proactive role and closely monitor what their kids are doing online. You will be surprised on what and who is out there. This is especially important during these trying times of remote and hybrid schooling. Kids have more computer/gaming time than ever before. http://ow.ly/dhEd50BI59L