WARRICK CO., IN (WFIE) -
Tri-State police arrested two suspects in connection to online sexual solicitation of a minor, and some are saying the parents are the people to thank.
Friday, the Warrick County Sheriff's Office arrested 33-year-old Carl Lee Rogers, while Kentucky State Police arrested 38-year-old Rupeshkumar Poojary, on the charges mentioned.
We spoke to Warrick County Sheriff Brett Kruze Saturday and he agrees, these arrests start with the parents.
Kruze says a county detective managed to find and arrest Lee, by going undercover online.
"Our detective, Paul Kruze, got online then on Facebook and started communicating with the suspect. And they talked him into coming to meet, who he thought was an 11-year-old at the race track at Chandler," Sheriff Kruze told 14 News.
Kruze says Lee showed up riding a scooter, and to his surprise, he was met by deputies instead of an 11-year-old kid.
Kruze also says the operation was a success, thanks to the parents who tipped off police.
"They contacted the tip line who, in turn, contacted the Indiana Internet Crimes Against Children's Center, and then they contact the agency that has jurisdiction in the case. And we work it from there."
The tip line is named the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children's Cyber Tipline. Kruze believes parents need to remain vigilant, when it comes to their children's online activity, and that the tip line is an effective resource.
"It worked real well yesterday. From the time we got the tip until the arrest was made was less than two hours."
Kruze also says there may be multiple victims in Rogers' case, and as such, the Sheriff's Office is continuing their investigation.
The Warrick County Sheriff's Office says it is important for parents to talk with their children about online safety and to monitor their use of chat rooms and social networking sites. Anyone who suspects online predators may contact their local law enforcement or the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children's Cyber Tipline at www.cybertipline.com or 1-800-843-5678.
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Carl Lee Rogers. Source: Warrick County Sheriff's Office
