Community-led group sets up sting operation to catch suspected child predator
An Anaheim man was arrested for being a suspected child predator after getting caught in a sting operation organized by a community-led group.
The group was created to monitor the internet for child predators, according to the Brea Police Department. A group member contacted police at about 6:30 PM on November 16th, to report that their group had identified a potential suspect. “The citizen reported their citizen group had conducted a sting operation where they had posed as an underaged teen boy,” according to the release. “They reported that an adult male had traveled to Brea with the intention of meeting with the underage boy.”
Officers learned of the meeting plans for the “boy” and the suspect, identified as 37-year-old Benito Ramirez Vasquez. They showed up at the location, where they made contact with the suspect and citizen group. Further investigation confirmed the group’s suspicions and resulted in the man’s arrest. He was booked at Orange County Jail for charges involving solicitation of a minor for lewd purposes.
Police have asked anyone with information regarding this incident to contact Detective Shannon Buckels at 714-990-7637
