Vigilante Group Reportedly Alerts Fullerton Police to Suspected Child Predator; Police Launch Formal Investigation
Above: John Wheeler booking photo (Credit: Fullerton PD)
Originally published 7-13-23 via Facebook
by the Fullerton Police Department:
“On Sunday, July 9, 2023, at approximately 8:09 PM, Fullerton Police Officers responded to the 200 block of East Orangethorpe Ave. regarding an adult male who had confronted another adult male that was suspected of contacting (an adult posing as) a 14-year-old child using “messaging apps” for the purposes of conducting sexual acts and sending lewd photographs.
Upon Officers’ arrival, they were met by a large group of people demanding the suspect, later identified as John WHEELER (39-years-old, Fullerton), be arrested immediately. As officers were attempting to conduct their investigation into the allegations on-scene, the crowd became impatient and uncooperative with officers, creating an unsafe environment for everyone present.
Because of the group’s hostile actions towards the Officers on scene and to ensure the safety of all involved, Officers elected to conduct further investigation at the Fullerton Police Department.
Initial investigation indicated that the group confronting WHEELER had posed as a 14-year-old boy, setting a meeting with a fictitious child later that day to conduct sexual acts. While the group who had solicited the suspect provided some of this information to officers at the scene, based on established laws in the State of California, officers did not have sufficient evidence to make an arrest.
Fullerton PD Detectives were notified of the incident and immediately began investigating the allegations. They also sought and obtained multiple search warrants for WHEELER’s electronic devices.
On Wednesday, July 12th, at approximately 12:34 PM, Fullerton Police Detectives arrested John WHEELER for contact with (an adult posing as) a minor with the intent to have sex and sending harmful matter to seduce a minor.
WHEELER was transported to the Fullerton City Jail where he is being held in lieu of $100,000 bail.
Understandably, emotions run high when dealing with anything involving the abuse of children. Because of the intricacies of an investigation started by a group independent of law enforcement, law enforcement must start at the beginning and must corroborate all allegations, collecting all evidence associated with the allegations independently for a successful prosecution, which is the ultimate goal of all parties involved. Partnering with law enforcement at the onset of these incidents is always best practice and the most effective way to protect innocent lives.
Detectives believe it is possible there are potential victims from other crimes that WHEELER may have committed who have yet to come forward. Anyone with further information, or anyone who may have been a prior victim of WHEELER in the past, is encouraged to contact Fullerton Police Detective Nicole KAPRIELIAN at (714) 738-6763. Those wishing to provide information anonymously can call the Orange County Crime Stoppers at 1(855) TIP-OCCS or you can visit their website at https://occrimestoppers.org/.”
