Six suspects from Kentucky have been arrested after an undercover operation uncovered adults attempting to solicit sex from minors through a popular dating app.
Boyle County Sheriff Derek Robbins said a total eight adults were arrested for soliciting sex from minors, with suspects also arrested in Texas and Mississippi.
The investigation began when parents brought their concerns to Robbins over dating websites and apps. As part of the investigation, a detective posed as a teenager, with the detective telling the people he was a juvenile.
According to investigators, one man traveled from Mississippi, and another traveled from Texas to Boyle County, thinking they were meeting teenagers for sex.
The Boyle County Sheriff’s Department said the following suspects were arrested: Paul F. Hilpp II, 28, of Lebanon, Joseph A. Brown II, 49, of Danville, Justin P. Jones, 40, of Stanford, Dequan L. Brown, 23, of Lebanon, Shawn A. Williams, 39, of Springfield (who is a registered sex offender), and Mark A. Shelton, of Stanford.
The out-of-state suspects arrested were Michael S. Cruse, 46, of Columbus, Mississippi and Hubert D. Carter, 52, of Ennis, Texas.
They were all charged with unlawful transaction with a minor (for the purposes of an illegal sex act) and prohibited use of an electronic communication system to procure sex with a minor.
Robbins is not identifying the dating app or website involved in the investigation because authorities continue to use it to catch additional sex offenders.
By Ken Howlett, News Director
Contact Ken at ken@k105.com or 270-259-6000
