DELRAY BEACH, Fla. (CBS12) — A Florida Atlantic University student government member is facing felony charges after police said he traveled to Delray Beach to meet someone he believed was a minor for sex.
Walden made his initial court appearance Wednesday morning in West Palm Beach. During the hearing, his mother stood and said to the judge: “He’s never been arrested. He’s a good kid.” She was in tears as she and Walden’s father listened to the allegations.
After the hearing, we caught up with Walden’s parents outside the courtroom. “Do you have any comment on your son’s arrest here?” we asked them. “No comment,” his mother said. “You said he’s innocent. Can you tell me what you mean?” we asked them. “Just stop. He’s absolutely innocent,” his father said. “He’s a sweet kid,” his mother said. “Put your phone down before I take it from you,” his father said. His parents would not give their names.
Christian “CJ” Walden, 21, of Boynton Beach was arrested May 26 by Delray Beach police on charges of traveling to meet a minor for an unlawful sex act and using a two-way device to facilitate a felony, according to a probable cause affidavit. The arrest paperwork lists the incident location as 1400 Waterford Place, the address of a Home Depot in Delray Beach.
According to the affidavit, officers responded after Walden was confronted by people involved with the social media group 561 Predator Catchers. The affidavit says Dustin Lampros, who is associated with the group, told police Walden had arrived at the Home Depot to meet a person he believed was an underage boy.
Police wrote that the person Walden believed he was talking to was actually a decoy. The affidavit says messages shown to police indicated Walden first believed the person was 18, but later was told the person was 13 and “about to turn 14.” Police said Walden continued messaging and later went to the Home Depot.
Investigators said Walden gave officers permission to search his phone, and police said they confirmed text messages between Walden and the person using the name “Justin.” The affidavit says Walden told officers that, after work, he came to meet someone he knew was underage.
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Walden is also involved in FAU Student Government. The University Press identified him as FAU’s Boca Raton House of Representatives Ways and Means chair and reported that he was facing impeachment following the arrest.
The student newspaper also reported that 561 Predator Catchers and people associated with the group posted footage and screenshots connected to the confrontation. Another person, who the University Press identified as part of “People v. Predators,” told the outlet he acted as the decoy, while Lampros and 561 Predator Catchers were on scene during the arrest.
We asked several FAU students for their reaction to the arrest.
“Whoever do this, it’s not good,” said Sardar Atamoglnov, an FAU MBA student.
“I’m happy that they caught him right there. And kind of creepy, kind of sent chills down my spine for a second,” said Sofia Garris, a junior at FAU who’s majoring in sociology.
Two FAU Student Government bills attached to the case seek to remove Walden from leadership. One bill, titled “Immediate Removal of Chair Walden,” says the Ways and Means chair holds a position of “substantial fiscal oversight and institutional trust” and states that information made public through an investigation involving 561PC reflected negatively on Student Government and the university. The bill calls for Walden’s removal as Ways and Means chair once the required signatures are received.
A separate impeachment bill states that a recent investigation by the social media account “561PC” raised concerns about Walden’s ability to be trusted by Student Government members and serve the student body. That bill calls for Walden to be impeached and removed from FAU Student Government.
At his initial court appearance Wednesday morning, Walden’s bond was set at $25,000.
“Pursuant to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), the university cannot confirm an individual’s student status or comment on matters that may be part of a student’s educational record without appropriate authorization,” said Joshua Glanzer, Associate Vice President, Media Relations, Division of University Communications at FAU.
