Online dealings with 'Predator Poachers' lead to man's arrest in molest case
WINCHESTER, Ind. — Online dealings with a predator-hunting group from Texas have resulted in a Winchester man's arrest on attempted molesting and child pornography charges.
Roy L. Wentz, 64, was charged Friday in Randolph Circuit Court with a total of five counts, including the attempted molesting count that is a Level 1 felony carrying up to 40 years in prison.
In addition to possession of child pornography, he is also charged with child solicitation, attempted sexual misconduct with a minor and improper communication with a child.
According to court documents, Winchester police on Saturday were called to Wentz's home, in the 300 block of West Washington Street, where three men — members of "Predator Poachers," a "predator catchers group" in Houston, Texas — requested "law enforcement assistance."
The men said they had posed as an 11-year-old girl on Facebook, and that Wentz had responded to the "girl's" profile and engaged in online conversations that were sexual in nature, and eventually made plans for the child to visit his home.
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An affidavit indicated Wentz believed he was communicating with a pre-teen who lived in Union City.
The men indicated they had confronted Wentz at his home before calling police.
Wentz was later interviewed by Winchester police and reportedly acknowledged he had discussed having sex with the juvenile. He also told officers he "got caught up in Facebook drama."
Police inspected two cellphones belonging to the Winchester man, and reported finding images of "young females... in different stages of undress" and engaging in sexual activity. An officer estimated the age of those girls at 10-14 years old.
There were also indications Wentz had dealings online with other juveniles, but apparently not resulting in actual meetings, the document said.
The attempted sexual misconduct with a minor and child solicitation charges are Level 4 felonies with maximum 12-year sentences. The child pornography count is a Level 6 felony carrying up to 30 months in prison.
An initial hearing is set for Thursday. Court records reflect no prior charges against Wentz, a former Muncie resident.
Douglas Walker is a news reporter at The Star Press. Contact him at 765-213-5851 or at dwalker@muncie.gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Muncie Star Press: Winchester man arrested in attempted molest, child porn probe
