Police say they used social media to try and solicit minors for sex.
Frederick, Md (KM) Four men are charged with sexual solicitation of minors.
Authorities say the suspects were arrested last week as part of a multi-day undercover operation involving the Frederick Police, the County Sheriff’s Office, the FBI and the State’s Attorney’s Office. During the operation, police say the suspects chatted on social media with undercover investigators who were posing as minors. The suspects were apprehended as they arrived at their pre-arranged meeting places for an encounter.
They’re identified Daniel Kroon, 24, of Myersville, Todd Thompson, 43, of Frederick, Joseph Shirk, 45, of McClure, Pennsylvania, and Virinchi Srinivas, 29, of Gaithersburg.
The operation was conducted as part of the Frederick County Cyber Crime Task Force. An agreement to set up the Task Force was signed Monday of last week between the State’s Attorney’s Office, Frederick Police and the County Sheriff’s Office. The mission, according to officials, is to investigate, apprehend and prosecute sexual predators who use he interent and technology to go after their victims.
By Kevin McManus