WOODFORD COUNTY, Ill. – The Woodford County Pro-Active unit arrested a man from Benson Monday night after he allegedly traveled to the El Paso area to meet up with a minor he met on the internet for sex.
Woodford County Chief Deputy Dennis Tipsword says 45-year-old Ottis Harrell believed he was meeting a 15-year-old girl.
Harrell was charged with one count of indecent solicitation of a child Class 3, indecent solicitation of a child using the internet Class 4, traveling to meet a minor Class 3 and grooming Class 4.
The arrest and investigation was conducted by members of Woodford County’s “predator team” within the Pro-Active unit. Their focus is on internet crimes against children.
Harrell is currently being held in the Woodford County Jail awaiting his first appearance before a judge to determine if he qualifies for detention under the pretrial fairness act, while he awaits trial.
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