BATESVILLE — A 33-year-old Batesville man faces a felony charge of internet stalking of a child after authorities say he arranged to meet what he believed was a 14-year-old boy for sexual activity at a local hotel.
Ethan Allen Hamm was arrested June 13 following a civilian sting operation at Comfort Suites, according to an affidavit of probable cause filed in Independence County.
Cpl. Jason Santizo responded to the hotel after members of a civilian group known as ARPC reported the suspected meeting. Nathan Sharp and Jonathan Adams told police that Hamm had contacted their decoy account, quickly turned the conversation sexual and arranged the encounter via text messages over approximately two weeks.
Officers said all conversations were recorded. Upon arrival, Hamm was taken into custody at the scene.
Detective Brenda Bittle later interviewed Hamm at the Batesville Police Department after he waived his Miranda rights. According to the affidavit, Hamm admitted communicating with the 14-year-old decoy on Threads and by text, sending waist-up photos, and receiving head shots and a guitar video from the decoy. He also acknowledged contacting at least three or four other underage boys online, exchanging some naked photos, though he said this was the first such attempt to meet in person.
Hamm remains charged with one count of internet stalking of a child, a Class B felony. A judge found probable cause for the arrest on June 14.
