SEARCY — A 39-year-old Harrison man faces a Class Y felony charge after authorities say he traveled to White County to meet what he believed was a child for sex, only to be arrested in an undercover sting operation.
Jacob Fletcher of Harrison was taken into custody Monday after showing up at a residence in Searcy, according to the White County Sheriff’s Office. Investigators said Fletcher began communicating online June 19 with a social media account he thought belonged to a minor female. The account was operated by a sheriff’s office investigator.
During the exchanges, authorities allege Fletcher discussed having sexual relations with the minor and arranged to pick her up in Searcy and take her back to his home in Harrison. He arrived at the planned location June 22 and was arrested by a multi-agency team that included the White County Sheriff’s Office, the FBI Little Rock Field Office, Homeland Security Investigations and the Arkansas State Police Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.
Officers also executed a search warrant at Fletcher’s Harrison residence with assistance from the Harrison Police Department, Homeland Security Investigations and the Boone County Sheriff’s Office.
Fletcher is being held at the White County Detention Center on a charge of internet stalking of a child.
Chief Deputy Clayton Edwards said the Sheriff’s Office is increasing its online investigative efforts against sexual predators.
“We are expanding our online presence with detectives having received training in conducting sting operations on sexual predators,” Edwards said. “It’s horrible how easy it can be — we don’t have to look for these predators, they solicit us and come to us.”
All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
