FRESNO – A Stockton man was arrested last week by authorities on charges of soliciting sex toward children, but he was actually communicating with an undercover investigator.
The Fresno County Sheriff’s Office said 39 year old John Plappert of Stockton drove two hours to Fresno believing he was arranging a meeting for sex with a minor.
The Internet Crimes Against Children investigators monitor social media platforms for this type of activity. They said Plappert unknowingly contacted an undercover detective and began asking about access to children.
Authorities say Plappert expressed a desire to rape a 9 year old girl while being watched. He then requested to meet in Fresno Wednesday night, where authorities set up and arrested him.
Officials with the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office encourage parents to monitor their children’s social media use, and maintain open lines of communication to build trust.
Plappert was booked into the Fresno County Jail on $35,000 bail.
