By SYDNEY KENT
Jonathon Dickey, 53, Poneto, was charged with child solicitation, a Level 5 felony, after he attempted to arrange a sexual encounter with who he believed to be a 13 year old girl. Bond was set at $5,000.
Dickey was the subject of a sting set up by a private citizen group Predator Catchers of Indianapolis. In this case, members of the group used the website “Mingle2” to pose as an underage girl and her best friend.
According to the probable cause affidavit, Dickey sent sexually explicit and suggestive messages to “Katie” who informed him that she was only 13 years-old. In later text messages, Dickey also believed he was speaking with “Katie’s” 12-year-old friend, “Grace,” asked questions about the two girls performing sexual acts with one another. Both “Katie” and “Grace” were members of PCI.
On June 6, Dickey sent “Katie” his home address and asked her to “come there sometime.” Conversation continued over the logistics of arranging a place to meet. On June 17, Dickey and “Katie” agreed to meet at Southern Wells High School. Dickey was allegedly unable to meet because of failed transportation and talked with “Katie” about coming to his home. When officers responded to the report, PCI members were speaking with Dickey in his garage. Dickey told officers that the woman at the residence, a PCI member, was the mother of an underage girl who he referred to as his friend. He admitted that he “sometimes stepped out of line” when speaking with her.
Dickey was placed under arrest after further discussion. His phone was seized and turned over to apply for a search warrant. The initial hearing for this case is at 8 a.m. on Wednesday, June 21, in Wells Circuit Court.
sydney@news-banner.com
