Police Pose as 15-Year-Old Girl on Social Media to Arrest Suspected Pedophile
Photo: Ryan John Rickett
A 42-year-old man from Rancho Cucamonga has been arrested for attempting to solicit sex with a juvenile.
The suspect, Ryan John Rickett, was successfully captured on August 13th through a sting operation set up by Rancho Cucamonga police. Deputies went undercover by using an “unmonitored social media account” to pose as a 15-year-old girl, according to the release. “The account was actually an undercover law enforcement account used by detectives for various investigations.”
Rickett, who had apparently fallen for the ruse, began communicating with the account. Over the course of several days, the text dialogue included the suspect sending nude photos of himself as well as an agreement to meet up in person. According to the release, “Rickett agreed to meet the decoy at a public park in the early morning hours before school where he was going to pick up the juvenile and take her back to his house so they could engage in sexual acts.”
Detectives were ready when the suspect arrived. As he was driving up, police attempted to stop him, but he sped away quickly, officers in tow. “Rickett fled through city streets and ultimately fled back to his residence in the City of Rancho Cucamonga, where he abandoned his vehicle and fled on foot.”
He was found and apprehended soon afterwords. Following his investigative interview at the Rancho Cucamonga Police Department, Rickett was arrested and charged with meeting a minor for sexual acts, communicating with a minor for lewd acts, sending lewd pictures to a minor, and failure to yield to peace officers. He was booked at the West Valley Detention Center on $100,000 bail.
“Evidence obtained during the investigation has led detectives to believe that Rickett may have previously met with and engaged in sexual acts with other teenage girls,” states the release. Anyone with information about this suspect is asked to contact the Rancho Cucamonga Police Department’s Detective Bureau or call We-Tip at 1-800-78-CRI
