ROCKVILLE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — A Terre Haute man has been charged with child solicitation after police say he tried to meet up with what he thought was a 12-year-old girl but was actually a private internet group fishing for predators.
According to the Rockville Police Department, Harry Pumphrey, 51, of Terre Haute was arrested on Saturday, Feb. 18, at Beechwood Park after Pumphrey had attempted to meet the “girl” there.
Police said a group called Predator Hunters of Indiana had contacted them with information about online conversations between Pumphrey and the profile they had set up pretending to be a 12-year-old girl. Police said Pumphrey initiated the contact, and after questioning admitted that he had come to the park to meet with the girl.
The group also told police that Pumphrey had told them he had child pornography in his possession and a search of Pumphrey’s phone reportedly turned up what police described as a “large amount” of child sexual abuse material. Pumphrey also reportedly arrived with gifts he had planned to give to the “girl”.
Police placed Pumphrey under arrest and took him to the Parke County Jail.
Court records indicate that Pumphrey appeared for an initial hearing on Monday, Feb. 20. Where he entered a preliminary plea of not guilty. His bond was set at $35,000 with 10% allowed, Pumphrey has since been released on bond.
Pumphrey has been charged with the following;
- Child Solicitation
- A level 4 felony
- Possession of child pornography (x7)
- A level 6 felony
Pumphrey is due for a hearing updating the status of his legal council on April 3, with a pretrial conference scheduled for April 27.
Assisting in the arrest were the Parke County Sheriff’s Office, The Vigo County Sheriff’s Office, and the Parke County Prosecutor’s Office.
