Four of the suspects were arrested by Grant County sheriff’s deputies, while a fifth was arrested by the Marion Police Department.
GRANT COUNTY, Ind. — A joint investigation led to the arrests of five people for alleged child solicitation of a 13-year-old girl in Grant County.
In a release sent Sunday, July 20, Grant County Sheriff’s Office and the Marion Police Department officials say four of the men allegedly traveled from outside counties with the intent to engage in sexual activity with someone they believed to be 13 years old.
Police say they were contacted by Predator Catchers Inc., which is described in the release as a “civilian organization focused on exposing individuals attempting to exploit minors online,” regarding the suspects.
Once the suspects arrived at a meeting location, and police said Predator Catchers Inc. notified appropriate law enforcement.
Four of the suspects were arrested by Grant County sheriff’s deputies, while a fifth was arrested by the Marion Police Department.
The Grant County Prosecutor’s Office has filed formal charges against the following:
- Isaiah Frye, 28, of Loogootee
- Johnathon Sasser, 42, of Anderson
- Teddy Lunceford, 38, of Elkhart
- Paul Escribano, 35, of Marion
The fifth suspect has not been charged as of Monday afternoon.
(NOTE: 13News has a policy to not name suspects until formal charges are filed by prosecutors.)
“Protecting our children is one of the most sacred responsibilities we have,” Grant County Sheriff Del Garcia said. “Thanks to the swift response of our deputies, the work of the Marion Police Department, and the alert from Predator Catchers Inc., these individuals were apprehended before any harm could be done. We will continue to pursue those who seek to prey on children and hold them accountable.”
