MUNCIE, Ind. -- Delaware County sheriff's deputies arrested a South Whitley, Indiana, man on Friday for allegedly soliciting an undercover officer he thought was a 15-year-old girl for sex online.
Christopher Lung, 41, was arrested on one count of child solicitation and one count of attempted sexual misconduct with a minor after, police say, he arranged to exchange sex for the cost of a hotel room with someone he thought was a 15-year-old runaway.
According to a probable cause affidavit, a deputy with the Delaware County Sheriff's Department placed an ad on Backpage.com – a free classifieds website sometimes used to advertise sexual services – claiming to be an 18-year-old runaway needing comfort.
The deputy then reportedly received text messages from Lung asking her "how old r u really?" The deputy then told Lung he was 15 years old.
"He asked me what I needed and I stated that I need money for a room to stay in since I just ran away," the deputy wrote in the affidavit. "He stated he could help me with that. He then asked what we could exchange for the room."
Sheriff Ray Dudley handcuffs Christopher Lung after his arrest on the charges of child solicitation and attempted sexual misconduct with a minor. (Courtesy Delaware County Sheriff's Department)
As the conversation continued, the deputy said Lung then send a nude photo of himself and asked if the "girl" was affiliated with law enforcement.
The deputy and Lung allegedly arranged to meet at the Muncie Mall. Law enforcement officers spotted Lung sitting in his vehicle at the mall, and then arrested him during a traffic stop a short distance away.
The deputy said he was able to identify Lung based on the tattoos in the nude picture he sent via text.
Lung reportedly told police he had arranged to meet up with women from Backpage before, but never minors.
Lung was booked into the Delaware County Jail without incident. His bail was set at $15,000.
