HARRISON, Ark. (KATV) — A Harrison man was arrested after authorities said he arranged to meet someone he believed was a minor for sex, only to discover he was communicating with an undercover investigator.
According to the White County Sheriff’s Office, 39-year-old Jacob Fletcher of Harrison began communicating June 19 on social media with an account he believed belonged to a juvenile girl. Investigators said the account was operated by a White County Sheriff’s Office investigator.
During the conversations, authorities said Fletcher discussed sexual activity with the person he believed was a minor and later made plans to travel to Searcy and take the child back to his home in Harrison.
Investigators said Fletcher arrived June 22 at a residence where he believed the minor lived and was met by law enforcement officers from the White County Sheriff’s Office, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations and the Arkansas State Police Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.
Authorities also executed a search warrant at Fletcher’s home with assistance from the Harrison Police Department, Homeland Security Investigations and the Boone County Sheriff’s Office.
Fletcher was booked into the White County Detention Center on a charge of internet stalking of a child, a Class Y felony. Formal charges will be determined by prosecutors.
Chief Deputy Clayton Edwards said investigators have expanded their online operations after receiving training focused on identifying and investigating suspected child predators.
Edwards said investigators have found that suspects frequently initiate contact with undercover accounts posing as minors, adding that the sheriff’s office plans to continue such operations.
