CLEVELAND — Three men arrested were arrested in three days for allegedly soliciting 15-year-old girls for sex on a popular app.
“This is the tip of the iceberg, we’re seeing more and more of it,” said Carl Sullivan, Director of prosecutions for the Ohio Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.
Prosecutors say each man reached out on the app and arranged a meeting with who they assumed was a teenage girl. But, when the men showed up, they were greeted by investigators from the Ohio Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.
Police arrested 27-year-old Joshua Kinnett of Cleveland on April 2, 2019. He was taken into custody after he arranged to meet the teen and bring her food from McDonald's. Investigators said they found the food as well as a box of condoms when he was arrested.
On April 3, 2019 police arrested 32-year-old Joshua Carver of Cleveland. Police said he sent online messages to an agent he believed was a 15-year-old girl. Carver also had condoms when he showed up for the meeting according to prosecutors.
Sean Kollar, 45, of Middleburg Heights was arrested a day later. According to prosecutors he sent dozens of messages to a person he believed was a teenager. He allegedly told her he wanted to have sex with her. Based on his online chats, investigators set up surveillance and watched Kollar driving around the meeting location in the days leading up the scheduled meeting.
Prosecutors would not say what social media app was used, but do say this should serve as a wake-up call to parents about the apps at the fingertips of children.
“Parents have to be vigilant,” said Sullivan.
Kinnett, Carver and Kollar have all plead not guilty and are due in court next month.
