CITRUS HEIGHTS—Four Sacramento-area men have been arrested in a “To Catch A Predator”- type sting operation run by Citrus Heights police with help from the FBI.
On April 25, 2014, a Citrus Heights police detective posed as a girl in a popular online forum and made it clear that she was a minor. The “girl” said she was bored and looking for someone to talk to.
Police said in a press release that almost immediately, “several male subjects responded to the forum post and engaged in conversation that ultimately turned sexual in nature.”
Each of the four men mentioned sexual activity and arranged to meet the girl in person. Officers said one of the suspects even sent over naked photos of himself.
Cameron Lovell was the first to fall into the trap (Facebook)
On Thursday, May 1, 2014 at approximately 2:00 am, police arrested Cameron Lovell, 27, of Sacramento and charged him with one count of attempted enticement of a minor and one count of attempted transfer of obscene matter to a minor. Officers apprehended with Lovell in Citrus Heights after he traveled to meet the fictitious girl.
One Friday, May 2, 2014 at approximately 10:40 pm, Gerald Lowrance, 42, was arrested at his Woodland home and charged with one count of attempted enticement of a minor. Lowrance had not yet traveled to Citrus Heights to meet the “girl.”
At 7:30 pm on Wednesday, May 7, 2014, Citrus Heights detectives then took Kevin Wood, 35, of Rancho Cordova, into police custody. He had traveled to Citrus Heights for a face-to-face meeting with the decoy.
And on Friday, May 9, 2014 at approximately 5:00 pm, Citrus Heights detectives arrested Roger Wallace, 67, of Roseville after he also tried meeting the decoy in person.
All four suspects face federal felonies. If convicted, the crimes carry a statutory penalty of 10 years to life in prison.
Read More:
News10: Man, 27, accused of enticing 14-year-old for sexual activity
Amador Ledger Dispatch: ACUDS psychologist arrested in police Internet teenager sex sting operation
