Michael Scanlan : 77-Year-Old Indy Man Arrested for Child Solicitation

In a shocking turn of events, police in Grant County have arrested a 77-year-old man from Indianapolis for allegedly arranging a dinner with a 13-year-old girl who turned out to be a decoy set up by a local predator catcher group.

Michael Scanlan, 77, was taken into custody in Marion and charged with child solicitation under the age of 14, a level 4 felony. The arrest came after he attempted to meet up with a girl he believed to be 13, only to discover that she was part of a sting operation carried out by Predator Catchers Indiana (PCI).

The incident unfolded at a Mexican restaurant in the 3100 block of S. Western Avenue, where officers from the Marion Police Department were summoned to meet with PCI employees. The employees informed the police that a white male in his 70s was present at the restaurant to meet a 13-year-old girl.

Upon arrival at the scene, an officer engaged with PCI employees who had Scanlan in their custody. During their interaction, Scanlan reportedly confessed to arranging the dinner with the 13-year-old decoy, acknowledging that it was a foolish decision.

According to the evidence presented by PCI, Scanlan had initially contacted the decoy on the MeetMe app before exchanging phone numbers. Their conversations took a sexual turn, with Scanlan making inappropriate remarks and requests.

Messages retrieved by PCI revealed Scanlan’s explicit intentions, including asking for inappropriate images and suggesting a meeting location. Despite being aware of the decoy’s age, Scanlan continued to engage in the conversations.

When the time came for the supposed meeting, Scanlan was met not by a young girl but by members of the predator catcher group. The group promptly contacted the authorities, leading to Scanlan’s arrest on the spot.

During the encounter, Scanlan declined to answer any questions from the officers, expressing his desire to consult with an attorney. Subsequently, he was placed under arrest and transported to the Grant County Jail, where he was booked on a charge of child solicitation.

While being escorted to the jail, Scanlan disclosed that he hailed from Indianapolis and had recently been ejected from his residence by his spouse. Police inferred that his trip to Marion was motivated by a desire for sexual gratification with a minor.

As of now, Scanlan is no longer listed on the Grant County Jail’s current inmate roster. Online court records have yet to reflect any updates regarding his case or an initial court appearance. The Marion Police Department has not provided any additional information on the matter.

Conclusion

The apprehension of Michael Scanlan serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by individuals seeking to exploit vulnerable minors online. It underscores the importance of vigilance and proactive measures to combat child predators in our communities.

Authorities continue to investigate the case, and further developments are expected in the near future. Stay tuned for updates on this ongoing investigation.