As reported by WTXL News, an Alabama man has been arrested Tallahassee, FL, for enticing a minor for sex acts and transmitting pornography to a minor via an electronic device.
According to police, Brian Patrick Donald, 40, of Theodore, AL, made contact with an undercover officer he believed to be a 13-year-old child. After initiating contact, Donald made several suggestive comments to the officer, even making clear that he was a 40-year-old man.
As the investigation continued, Donald provided his phone number and several photos of himself. Police used this information as evidence to confirm his identity.
Armed with enough evidence to present a substantial case against Donald, the police arrested him Sunday.
As part of the on going battle to combat sexual crimes against children, the investigation was a collaborative effort by several agencies including Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the Tallahassee Police Department, and the Leon County Sheriff’s Office.
If convicted, Donald could spend more than a decade in prison and have to register as a sex offender.
News of the Florida arrest came just days after a former Alabama Deputy Sheriff was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison for child pornography.
Former Deputy Kevin Wayne Taylor, 40, was arrested last year after a 10-year-old girl informed authorities that Taylor took lewd photos of her. Upon the search of his personal computer, police uncovered over 1,600 images of child pornography.
Upon his release, Taylor will be required to submit to supervision for the rest of his life.
Under current law, sex offenders are highly monitored by law enforcement. The places they are allowed to live and the jobs they may take are very limited. Most convicted sex offenders are prohibited from living within proximity of a school or taking jobs that give them access to children.
Nevertheless, there seems to be no shortage of predators who are undeterred by the consequences. For this reason, every family must remain vigilant in carefully monitoring the digital footprint of their children and report any suspicious activity to authorities. PC Magazine lists some reputable tools to help in doing so.
