By SYDNEY KENT
The most recent suspect caught in a Predator Catchers Indianapolis sting is reportedly a married father from Fort Wayne.
Thomas Garand Johnson, 36, was charged with one count of child solicitation, a Level 4 felony. Johnson acquired the charges after he attempted to meet a 14-year-old child for sexual purposes at Kroger in Bluffton on June 2.
Johnson entered a preliminary plea of not guilty during his initial hearing in the Wells Circuit Court last week.
PCI live-streamed the arrest on their Facebook page. However, unlike other stings, the video begins in the parking lot with Johnson already in police custody.
“We had to have the police come quickly,” a PCI member explained in the video. “He came in, said this was a trap, and took off. We got him to come back. He was definitely a flight risk. He is also married.”
The member noted that Johnson has a son who is the same age as the child he attempted to solicit for sex. Johnson asked police if he could call his wife while being detained for questioning.
“You can make a call at the jail,” an officer explained. “She probably won’t be too happy if you call her though.”
Johnson is the 14th suspect arrested by the group in Wells County. He is scheduled for a pretrial conference in the matter at 9 a.m. on Aug. 7 in the Wells Circuit Court.
sydney@news-banner.com
