|
Hout |
BY KEITH EPPS
An Illinois man Monday became the latest out-of-state suspected predator to walk into a trap set by two local detectives.
Randy Ray Hout, 53, was arrested when he showed up in the White Oak area of Stafford County for what he thought was a sexual liaison with a 13-year-old boy, Sheriff's spokesman Bill Kennedy said.
Hout is already on the Illinois sex offender registry for a crime about four years ago involving a 15-year-old child.
According to police, Hout contacted Stafford Detective Darryl Wells in June on the Internet, not knowing Wells is a police officer. The suspect told Wells he was the "Cyber-Dad" of a teenage boy named David. David was actually Dumfries Detective John Chapman, who portrayed himself as a 13-year-old during his online chats.
In this case, police said, Wells played the role of an adult who had just moved into David's neighborhood and also had sexual interest in the boy.
Wells and the suspect have exchanged numerous e-mails since June and talked twice on the phone. Kennedy said Hout gave Wells explicit details about the sex he planned to have with David.
The suspect had also had numerous sexually explicit online chats with "David."
Police say Hout made arrangements to come to Stafford to be with the boy. He was going to be staying at the home of the character portrayed by Wells.
Hout showed up about noon Monday and was immediately taken into custody by Stafford detectives.
He is charged with attempted indecent liberties with a child, five counts of distributing child pornography, soliciting sodomy from a juvenile and using electronic communications to solicit a juvenile. He is being held without bond in the Rappahannock Regional Jail.
Over the past 18 months, Wells and Chapman have been responsible for at least 16 arrests of suspected predators from other states and Canada. Four have actually come to the Fredericksburg area expecting to meet up with a juvenile.
Keith Epps: 540/374-5404
Email: kepps@freelancestar.com
