Police Snare Alleged Internet Sex PredatorsÂ
Police Snare Alleged Internet Sex PredatorsÂ
In their continuing series of separate criminal investigations into the activities of alleged Internet sex predators, police have arrested two men and have assisted federal officials in arresting a third man.
On June 1, police arrested Clifford MacLeod, 24, of New Haven, charging him on a warrant with use of a computer to entice a minor to engage in sexual activity.
âThis investigation involved communications through the use of computers,â police said in a statement.
After posting $50,000 bail, MacLeod was released from custody for a June 19 appearance in Danbury Superior Court.
Also, on May 31, police charged Leon Oprendek, 24, of Bristol with use of computer to entice a minor to engage in sexual activity and also with risk of injury or impairing the morals of a minor.
Similarly, police said that the investigation involved communications through the use of computers.Â
Police said Oprendek traveled to Newtown in seeking to meet a nonexistent underage female with whom he had contact on the Internet, after which they arrested him. There was no arrest warrant in the case.   Â
Oprendek was released on $50,000 bail for a June 14 court appearance.
Also, police said they assisted federal officials in May in a federal investigation that led to the arrest of Joseph Cote, 51, of Enfield. The federal charges include use of the Internet in an attempt to persuade a minor to engage in sexual activity and violation of the conditions of release.
Cote had been first arrested last November on the same federal Internet predator charge and had been free on bond.
âThe Newtown Police Department has provided valuable assistance to this investigation,â according to a statement from US Attorney Kevin J. OâConnor.
Newtown police Detective Jason Frank has conducted local policeâs continuing series of investigations into Internet predators.
In those cases, Det Frank poses as an underage female in chat rooms on the Internet, which the accused persons then allegedly seek to meet for illicit purposes.