MALTA, NY (WRGB) — A man accused of traveling to Saratoga County to sexually abuse children was arrested in Malta after an amateur sting operation set him up with fictitious victims and a fake mother, authorities said.Preston Purdy was arrested after he allegedly tried to have sex with an 11-year-old, an 8-year-old and a 3-year-old. Investigators said the children Purdy believed he was meeting were not real, and the “mother” he thought he was communicating with to arrange the encounter was part of a sting meant to catch child predators.During a livestream, Purdy admitted to traveling hundreds of miles to Malta to have sex with minors. In the video, he was asked whether he would have followed through if the children had been present.
“I would probably say I would guarantee that some of the sexual things, especially with the eight year old, what had happened,” Purdy said.
MJ Jones, identified as the leader of New York State Predator Alert, said he assisted Eric Arthurs — who goes by “TheUnderAgent” online — in Monday’s sting operation. Jones described the conversation with Purdy as graphic and disturbing.
“It’s hard to argue. One of the most evil people that any of us have ever encountered,” Jones said. “But when it got to the point where he started demonstrating what he was planning on doing to the children, I had to step out a couple times.”
After the conversation, the Saratoga Sheriff’s Department arrested Purdy and charged him with four counts of attempted rape and aggravated sexual abuse.Saratoga County District Attorney Brett Eby said his office believes the hourlong livestreamed confession can be used as evidence, while noting investigators continued working beyond what was posted online.“It’s our belief at this time that we would be admissible evidence,” Eby said. “Obviously, the sheriff’s department did a great job and the investigation didn’t stop with what people have seen on social media. They furthered the investigation.”Although minors were never actually involved, Eby said Purdy’s intent and actions are what prosecutors will focus on.
“He chose to get on a plane. He chose to get in an Uber. He chose to go to that home. He chose to bring, bring, you know, materials that would be related to sexual conduct with children with him,” Eby said.
Eby said law enforcement ideally would lead investigations like this, but his office will prosecute the case. He also described the allegations as among the most extreme he has seen.
Source link
——————————————————–
Click Here For The Original Source.
