An Ararat man was arrested by investigators for Solicitation of a Minor, according to Patrick County Sheriff’s Lieutenant, Steve Austin.
Harold Bradley Dalton, 57 of 310 Ike Slate Lane, was charged with three counts of VA code 18.2-374.3: Use of Communications systems to Facilitate Certain Offenses Involving a Minor.
In the evening hours of September 16th, the Patrick County Sheriff’s Office investigations division received a cyber tip from the Southern Virginia Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC task force), alleging inappropriate messages from an adult to a minor, via Facebook Messenger.
Patrick County Sheriff’s Office investigator, Jason Kruse (assigned to the ICAC task force), quickly determined that the suspect was a Patrick County High School teacher and the victim was a Patrick County High School student.
“Facebook Messenger conversations with evidentiary value between Dalton and the minor were collected by investigators,” Lt. Austin said in a Wednesday media release. Austin also added that “The conversations were not solicited in any way by the minor”.
Dalton was arrested without incident at approximately 1:30 PM. He is currently being held at the Patrick County Jail without bond.
This remains an active investigation and if you have any information pertaining to this case, we ask that you call either Lt. Steve Austin at 276-692-5950, or Investigator Jason Kruse at 276-692-5123.
The Patrick County Public School Division fully cooperated and assisted the Sheriff’s Office during the investigation.
