A Virginia man described by authorities as a registered sex offender has been arrested in Somerset following an investigation into alleged online communications with someone he believed was a 14-year-old girl.
Pulaski County Sheriff Bobby Jones says 51-year-old Michael Dale Carico, of Bristol, Virginia, was actually communicating with an undercover decoy working with Kentucky PredoPursuit.
The group contacted the sheriff’s office Sunday, October 18th. Investigators say the communications included sexually explicit messages and discussions of sexual activity. Carico allegedly arranged to meet the decoy at a Somerset residence and indicated he was traveling there to pick her up.
Detective Trent Massey investigated the report. Detectives later spotted a vehicle matching information they had received and conducted a traffic stop in Somerset. Carico was identified as the driver and arrested.
He is charged with procuring or using a minor by electronic means and attempted first-degree unlawful transaction with a minor involving an illegal sexual act with someone under 16.
Carico was lodged in the Pulaski County Detention Center, where authorities say he is being held without bond.