sws4420
05-23-2005, 03:17 PM
GARNER, Iowa -- A New Jersey man is in jail after a woman, posing as her own daughter, caught him soliciting the girl for sex over the Internet, police said.
Richard H. Johanson, 36, of Short Hills, N.J., was being held in the Hancock County jail on a federal detainer. He also was charged in Iowa for attempted third-degree sexual abuse and enticing away a minor.
He was arrested Thursday night after police in Hancock County received a tip from the mother of the 14-year-old girl, police said.
The mother posed as her daughter in a chat room using her daughter's screen name. Johanson initially contacted the girl and learned through the contact that she was 14 years old, police said.
The girl did not log out of the chat room before she went to bed and her mother later discovered that Johanson was trying to initiate a conversation with her daughter.
Police said Johanson indicated he was 26 years old and pressed for a meeting with the girl.
The Hancock County sheriff's office made arrangement for a secure meeting between the girl and Johanson in a public place.
The meeting was to take place Thursday night because Johanson was to leave Iowa Friday morning and indicated he was willing to travel from Des Moines to Garner to meet the girl, police said.
At the time of the meeting, Johanson tried to get the girl to leave the area. When she didn't comply he began to flee, but was caught, police said.
If convicted on the state charges, Johanson could face up to 12 years in prison.
http://www.newsday.com/news/local/wire/newjersey/ny-bc-nj--predatorarrest0521may21,0,2856196.story
Richard H. Johanson, 36, of Short Hills, N.J., was being held in the Hancock County jail on a federal detainer. He also was charged in Iowa for attempted third-degree sexual abuse and enticing away a minor.
He was arrested Thursday night after police in Hancock County received a tip from the mother of the 14-year-old girl, police said.
The mother posed as her daughter in a chat room using her daughter's screen name. Johanson initially contacted the girl and learned through the contact that she was 14 years old, police said.
The girl did not log out of the chat room before she went to bed and her mother later discovered that Johanson was trying to initiate a conversation with her daughter.
Police said Johanson indicated he was 26 years old and pressed for a meeting with the girl.
The Hancock County sheriff's office made arrangement for a secure meeting between the girl and Johanson in a public place.
The meeting was to take place Thursday night because Johanson was to leave Iowa Friday morning and indicated he was willing to travel from Des Moines to Garner to meet the girl, police said.
At the time of the meeting, Johanson tried to get the girl to leave the area. When she didn't comply he began to flee, but was caught, police said.
If convicted on the state charges, Johanson could face up to 12 years in prison.
http://www.newsday.com/news/local/wire/newjersey/ny-bc-nj--predatorarrest0521may21,0,2856196.story