02.26.10
St Louis Adult Entertainment: Alton man allegedly posed as priest to solicit sex
Alton man allegedly posed as priest to solicit sex
Posted: Thursday, February 18, 2010 10:21 pm
Authorities say an Alton man is accused of posing as a priest online and soliciting sex from someone he reportedly thought was a 13-year-old girl.
Madison County Sheriff’s Police Capt. Brad Wells said Thursday that 41-year-old Robert Shaw is charged with felony indecent solicitation of a child and felony grooming.
Felony grooming is a charge recently approved by the Illinois General Assembly. Wells said it pertains to an adult who initiates a conversation online with a child and pursues it to the point of solicitation.
Wells said Shaw made at least three solicitations for sex, and tried to arrange a meeting with the child, who was actually an undercover police officer.
Shaw was being held Thursday night in lieu of $60,000 bond. It was not immediately known if he had an attorney.