Craigslist Sting Operation Results in Huntington Beach Arrest

Huntington Beach police have arrested and charged a 40-year-old Anaheim man for two counts of attempted lewd acts with a child under 14. He allegedly attempted to contact a fictitious child over the Internet with the intent to commit a specific lewd act and went to meet the minor to engage in lewd conduct. According to the OC Register, the arrest was made possible by a sting operation put on by the Huntington Beach police department.

The police posted an ad on craigslist.com. They posed as a 13-year-old girl soliciting favors. The defendant responded and arranged to meet with the girl, who turned out to be a Huntington Beach police officer. In their correspondence, the defendant supposedly instructed the girl to have red underwear on when they were to meet.

The defendant had been convicted of a sex-related offense in 1989 in Arizona. After his recent sex crimes arrest, police found child pornography in his home; which will likely be used as additional evidence in his case. He faces a maximum sentence of five years in prison if he is found guilty of the sex offenses.

Though the facts of each case vary, sometimes false allegations of a sex crime can be made by an estranged spouse; seeking leverage in a divorce or child custody battle. Sex-related offenders are treated severely under California law, and those charged with these crimes require specially trained and experienced sex crime defense attorneys in Orange County. Sex offenders are also required to register their whereabouts for life even after their release, which can affect future housing and employment options. If you have been charged with a sex crime, the California criminal defense attorneys at Sitkoff & Hanrahan have the legal skill and knowledge required to successfully defend your rights. Call (866) 430-8383 for a free consultation about the details of your case and the options available to you.

Source: http://www.ocregister.com/news/bryan-238292-sex-girl.html