A man who claimed to be an Adair County (Okla.) deputy sheriff was arrested in Gentry on an Internet stalking charge after a 10-day undercover investigation.
Travis Beard, 23, of 2899 Meridian Place Apt. C in Siloam Springs, was arrested Dec. 20 in connection with Internet stalking of a child, a class A felony.
According to court documents, Beard appeared to be posting replies to under-age or young girls on a social media site. Beard was using the screen name "Red." The social media site was not named.
A detective with the Benton County Cyber Crimes Division, who was posing as a 15-year-old girl, replied to a post made by Red in a private message. Beard first introduced himself as a deputy sheriff for the Adair County Sheriff's Office.
The detective and Beard exchanged text messages and photographs over the 10-day investigation.
The probable-cause affidavit states that on more than one occasion Beard suggested meeting with the 15-year-old girl .
The plan was for Beard and the girl to meet the night of Dec. 20 at an apartment complex in Gentry.
Police were in the area of Beard's home when he left Siloam Springs and followed him to Gentry. They followed Beard until he pulled into the Whistle Stop apartments on Fourth Street in Gentry.
Beard was arrested when he started to leave his vehicle.
In an interview, Beard admitted he had texted the under-age girl and sent her a sexually-explicit picture of himself. He also said he was going to see the girl but had a change of heart and decided to go see his friend with whom he had made previous arrangements the day before to come spend time with and play video games.
Police spoke with the friend who said he had seen Beard two weeks before in the complex but didn't know what he was doing there. The friend didn't know of any plans for Beard to visit him that night.
Beard formerly worked for the Sheriff's Office in Adair County, Benton County Sheriff's Office spokeswoman Keshia Guyll said Sunday.
Beard was released Dec. 22 at the Benton County Jail on $50,000 bond.
Arraignment is set for Jan. 27 in Benton County Circuit Court, Division II.
General News on 01/01/2014