A Rural Retreat man was charged with five counts of using a communications system to solicit a juvenile in connection with incidents in Henry County, according to a release from Henry County Sheriff’s Capt. Sandy Hines.
The Henry County Sheriff’s Office and Patrick County Sheriff’s Office Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force conducted an undercover operation targeting individuals attempting to exploit minors online on November 1, according to Hines.
An investigator involved in the operation made contact with an individual through an online forum. During their communications, that person allegedly sent multiple lewd and sexually explicit messages, believing he was conversing with a 14-year-old child and attempting to arrange a meeting for a sexual encounter, Hines wrote in a release.
Later that day, the person allegedly traveled from Pulaski, Va., to a location in Henry County, expecting to meet the minor, the release stated.
Upon his arrival at the designated location, the individual was taken into custody by deputies and investigators from both sheriff’s offices without incident.
Mitchell R. Cook, 29, of 111 Kitten Lane, Apartment 1, Rural Retreat, Va., is currently held without bond in the Henry County Adult Detention Center. Rural Retreat is a town in Wythe County.
Hines added that the Henry County Sheriff’s Office is committed to the safety of children and will continue to pursue online predators actively. He added that the task force is a specialized unit that remains dedicated to safeguarding our community and protecting youngsters from online exploitation.
