Noblesville police say they arrested two men Friday following an online child predator sting.
According to the Noblesville Police Department, throughout the week of March 23-27, specially trained detectives carried out a targeted online predator investigation in which the detectives posed as juveniles between the ages of 13-15 on online apps and websites.
Throughout the investigation, police say “numerous” individuals communicated with the detectives even after being repeatedly reminded that the people they thought they were speaking with were underage.
As a result, Noblesville police arrested a 26-year-old Noblesville man on preliminary felony charges of child solicitation and attempted sexual misconduct with a minor as well as a 40-year-old Carmel man on preliminary felony charges of child solicitation, attempted sexual misconduct with a minor and three counts of neglect of a dependent.
(NOTE: 13News has a policy not to name suspects until formal charges are filed by a prosecutor.)
“The efforts during this investigation by the Noblesville Police Department, along with vital assistance of the Hamilton County Prosecutor’s Office, are a clear indication that we are actively pursuing those who attempt to lure and prey on children,” Noblesville police chief Brad Arnold said in a statement. “Let this be a warning that we will be relentless in identifying and arresting child predators so that they cannot harm those that are most vulnerable.”
The Hamilton County Prosecutor’s Office will make the final charging decision.
