In a recent undercover operation by the Harford County Sheriff’s Office, together with the Harford County Child Advocacy Center, an individual has been arrested for allegedly attempting to solicit a minor over the internet. The suspect, identified as 30-year-old Joshua John Brown from Perryville, was apprehended after detectives, pretending to be a 13-year-old girl, engaged him in conversation on a social media platform starting on July 22, as reported by Harford County Sheriff’s Office.
In the interactions between the suspect, known as 'John' in the exchanges, and the undercover detectives involved 'John' repeatedly acknowledged the illegality of his suggestions, despite expressing concerns about being caught he continued to engage in sexually suggestive conversations and proposed a meeting for sexual activities, which was due to occur on July 26.
Detectives watched as Brown arrived in the designated area of Courtland Place in Bel Air on the scheduled day, initially parking his vehicle behind an unmarked patrol car of the Harford County Sheriff's Office, only to move it near an alternate spot after some minutes. Upon trying to leave the area, a traffic stop facilitated his arrest, and his identity was confirmed through a Maryland driver's license.
Following the arrest, the suspect was transported to the Harford County Detention Center and initially held on $5,000 bail, but later released on bond. The Harford County Sheriff's Office is urging anyone with additional information or who may have been victimized by Brown to come forward to aid the community and the investigation.
While Brown has been arrested, detectives at the Sheriff's Office are continuing with their investigation, no further details have emerged as of now, but the public can contact Detective Scurto for information related to the case at 410-836-5472.
