79-Year-Old Douglas Cooper Arrested for Attempted Sexual Encounter with a Child in Acton, Massachusetts

Accident – Death – Obituary News : An Acton resident has been taken into custody by the police after allegedly attempting to arrange a sexual encounter with a minor in the town of Acton, Massachusetts. The suspect, identified as 79-year-old Douglas Cooper, was arrested on Saturday at around 9 p.m. and has been charged with enticement for sex involving a child under the age of 16.

The Acton Police Department received a tip shortly after 4:20 p.m. on Saturday, reporting a man who had allegedly made plans to meet a 14-year-old boy for sexual purposes. The incident took place at 68 Windsor Ave., which is the listed address for the Acton Housing Authority’s Windsor Green property. In response to the tip, officers promptly arrived at the scene and were able to locate the suspect, later identified as Douglas Cooper. He was subsequently taken to the Acton Public Safety Facility for an interview.

According to investigators, Douglas Cooper had engaged in explicit conversations of a sexual nature with an individual who had claimed to be a 14-year-old boy on a mobile application. The conversations were deemed to be inappropriate and alarming, prompting the police to take action. It was revealed that Cooper had agreed to meet the person, whom he believed to be a minor, in the parking lot of the South Acton commuter rail station for the purpose of a sexual encounter. However, upon arrival, Cooper was confronted by an adult who was posing as the 14-year-old boy.

A spokesperson from the Acton Police Department has clarified that the adult who posed as a child during the encounter was not an Acton police officer but rather a third party involved in the operation. This highlights the diligent efforts made by law enforcement to apprehend individuals who seek to engage in illegal activities with minors.

Following his arrest, Cooper’s bail was set at $7,540. However, as he was unable to post bail, he was subsequently transported to the Billerica House of Corrections.

The Acton community, along with concerned citizens, has expressed shock and disgust over these allegations. The arrest serves as a reminder of the importance of vigilance and the need to protect vulnerable individuals, particularly minors, from online predators. The Acton Police Department is commended for their swift action in apprehending the suspect and preventing a potential harm to a child.

As the legal proceedings continue, it is imperative that society remains committed to raising awareness about the dangers of online child exploitation and taking necessary precautions to safeguard children from such threats..