On October 3, 2013, Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office was contacted by the Goshen Ohio Police Department concerning an unknown suspect believed to be located in Hamilton County, TN. This unknown suspect had solicited a minor child for sexual contact in their jurisdiction via the internet. Detective Ashburn of the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division and who is assigned to the Internet Crimes Against Children’s Task Force was assigned the investigation.

The joint investigation involving the HCSO and authorities with the Goshen Ohio Police Department identified Ryan K. Freeman, twenty one years old of Harrison, Tennessee as the suspect. Ohio officers took over the minor child’s accounts on the internet and had extensive conversations with Freeman concerning his request to have sexual contact with a minor child. On October 15, 2013, Freeman was taken into custody on active warrants issued by Ohio authorities for Importuning/Felony after he arrived at the Chattanooga Greyhound Bus Station to pick up a minor child for the purpose of having sexual contact. Freeman remains in custody in the Hamilton County Jail awaiting extradition process.

Incidents such as this are a reminder of how diligent parents must be in safe guarding their children from online predators.