(WWJ) A tip from an alert parent, along with the work of undercover officer led to the arrest of an Ann Arbor man allegedly targeting minors online.
Alec Christian Stubbs, 23, was arrested on Monday when he tried to meet up with a 15-year-old girl — who turned out to be a Wayne County Sheriff's deputy posing as a minor.
The investigation began several weeks prior when the mother of an underage girl called the Wayne County Sheriff's Office to report the man's inappropriate contact with her minor child.
A WCSO operation was then launched, during which Stubbs allegedly texted with an undercover officer over a two-week period — requesting photos and sexual favors in exchange for marijuana.
He was taken into custody on July 26 when he went to meet the "teen" at a Wayne County park, with marijuana and condoms in his possession, the sheriff's office said.
Stubbs was-arraigned via video in 35th District Court Thursday on a felony charges of Children - Accosting for Immoral Purposes, and Using Computers and Internet to Communicate with Another to Commit a Crime.
Bond was set at $10,000 with a tether and the condition that he have contact with complaining witnesses or possess firearms, alcohol or marijuana of he's released.
Stubbs' next court appearance is set for Aug. 8.
"Due to the age of the alleged victim, it was critical that we got this suspect off the street immediately," said Sheriff Raphael Washington.
"Thanks to the diligence of our officers, we arrested him before he could subject the minor to trauma. We also want to commend the parent who alerted us. By coming forward she not only protected her child but possibly others."
Washington said officers are now investigating whether Stubbs may have targeted other minors in the area.
"It's very possible that he could have done this before," Washington said, in an interview with WWJ. "We're talking with some other agencies to see if they've had any complaints, things of that nature, then we'll check it out."
"But what we do know is that this kind of activity goes on — especially during this time when our children are heavily involved in computer activity," he added.
The sheriff urges all parents to monitor their children's social media access to ensure their safety from predators.
