Moore police say a 36-year-old man is behind bars after he allegedly used Snapchat to propose sex acts to people he believed were children, then tried to meet them at a local business.
Detectives arrested the man on Tuesday after arranging for him to show up at a business in Moore, where officers took him into custody without incident and transported him to the Cleveland County detention facility. He remains in custody while the investigation continues.
According to KOCO, investigators say the suspect used Snapchat to send explicit messages and images to people he believed were a 12-year-old and a 15-year-old, then set up a meeting. Police booked him on two counts of “lewd or indecent proposals or acts to a child” and one count of “enticing a child under 16.” KOCO reports that officers did not release his name because formal charges had not yet been filed. Detectives also say the man told them he intended to engage in sexual activity with the minors.
What the charges mean under Oklahoma law
Under Oklahoma statute 21 O.S. § 1123, making oral, written or electronic lewd or indecent proposals to someone under 16, or to someone the defendant believes is under 16, is a felony. The law also covers enticing a child to a secluded place for sexual purposes. Convictions can bring prison time and long-term sex-offender registration, as outlined by Justia.
Reporting and safety resources
Parents and caregivers worried about online grooming or explicit messages can report tips to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children’s CyberTipline and should contact Moore police if they believe a local child is in danger. NCMEC offers guidance on spotting online enticement, preserving evidence and how platforms and law enforcement respond; see NCMEC for resources.
Local context and what comes next
Moore has seen several high-profile child sex cases this year, including the May sentencing of a church employee, and authorities say they are continuing to pursue alleged online exploitation aggressively.
For this arrest, the suspect was booked into the Cleveland County detention center in Norman, which maintains a public inmate roster, and prosecutors will decide whether to file formal charges. Initial reporting on the arrest was published by KOCO. Moore police are asking anyone with information to contact the department so detectives can follow up.
