Month Long Investigation takes Sexual Predator off Streets
FORT BRAGG—Deputies from the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Department arrested a sexual predator after a month long investigation led them to Michael Sparks, 40, from Richmond. He had admitted to having the intent to engage a minor in sexual intercourse.
Michael Sparks
“As of this moment, we believe this to be an isolated incident that occurred in our County,” Lieutenant Greg Van Patten of the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Department said. “ But we have informed the authorities in the Richmond area and they are also looking into this matter.”
In mid-October deputies began to work a case after they received word that Sparks was attempting to make contact with a minor through Craigslist.org. “It is believed that Sparks met the boy while in the Fort Bragg area and attempted to reestablish contact with him through the Craigslist.org posting,” Lt. Van Patten said. “ The boy then informed his parents and they reported the incident to us.”
Deputies posing as the 14-year-old minor initiated the contact with Sparks. Sparks, believing that he was corresponding with the minor, kept in contact through emails. This continued for a period of a month.
It was evident to the deputies that Sparks had the desire to engage in and perform in sexual acts with the minor due to the lewd nature of the content of the emails that where sent.
Eventually, an arrangement was made with Sparks and the supposed “teen” to meet in the Fort Bragg area. On November 10th, Sparks showed up in a parking lot off of West Laurel Street in Fort Bragg. He was arrested a short time later.
During an interview with authorities Sparks admitted to having the intent to engage the minor in sexual intercourse. He was also in possession of items that would be used to facilitate that act.
Sparks faces numerous charges: sending harmful matter to a minor, contact with intent to commit a lewd act with a minor and meeting with a minor for purpose of a lewd act. His bail has been set at $50,000.00 dollars.
Read More:
Willits News: 40-Year-Old Man Arrested for Arranging Sex with 14-Year-Old Fort Bragg Child via Craigslist
