Post by Shuftin on Oct 20, 2006 1:26:27 GMT -5
October 14, 2006
By Jon Murray
A Marion County Sheriff's Department special deputy who received a medal of valor last week has been charged in an Internet sex sting.
Blas A. Garay, 25, exchanged instant messages with investigators posing as 15- and 14-year-old girls in July and last week, prosecutors said. He was charged with two counts of child solicitation and was released Friday on $15,000 bond.
Investigators also are exploring possible ties he might have to a gang, Marion County Prosecutor Carl Brizzi said.
Garay worked at the Arrestee Processing Center for about a year and has been suspended without pay, Capt. Phil Burton said. At a ceremony last week, he received a medal of valor for thwarting a robbery in March while he was working part time at a convenience store.
He had confronted the robber, showed his badge and, when the man pointed a gun at Garay, shot him. The robber, Wayne B. Dizer II, is serving an eight-year prison sentence.
Garay identified himself on the phone but hung up when asked to comment Friday about the charges. Each carries a possible sentence of two to eight years in prison.
His arrest "underscores the fact that these sexual predators are everywhere," Brizzi said. "There's no sign flashing above their head."
A probable cause affidavit filed in Marion Superior Court provided copies of two instant-message sessions. Each time, a person with the screen name "garays281" discussed sexual acts; in one, the person tried to make plans for a meeting at the girl's home.
Both times, "garays281" contacted the investigators. After he was added to a buddy list, his screen name changed to "Blas Garay," the document says.
Detectives served a search warrant Thursday at Garay's home in the 4000 block of Continental Court on Indianapolis' Southside. Garay told them the screen name belonged to him.
Officers seized his computer, a Comcast bill, a digital camera and a framed photo. In it, Brizzi said, Garay flashes a hand sign that appears to be the same used by the 2-1 FATAL gang. Members of that gang were accused of setting fire to a Near-Southside home last year.
Garay was reprimanded this year for posting a photo of himself wearing his uniform and badge on MySpace.com, a violation of department rules.
www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061014/LOCAL/610140512
By Jon Murray
A Marion County Sheriff's Department special deputy who received a medal of valor last week has been charged in an Internet sex sting.
Blas A. Garay, 25, exchanged instant messages with investigators posing as 15- and 14-year-old girls in July and last week, prosecutors said. He was charged with two counts of child solicitation and was released Friday on $15,000 bond.
Investigators also are exploring possible ties he might have to a gang, Marion County Prosecutor Carl Brizzi said.
Garay worked at the Arrestee Processing Center for about a year and has been suspended without pay, Capt. Phil Burton said. At a ceremony last week, he received a medal of valor for thwarting a robbery in March while he was working part time at a convenience store.
He had confronted the robber, showed his badge and, when the man pointed a gun at Garay, shot him. The robber, Wayne B. Dizer II, is serving an eight-year prison sentence.
Garay identified himself on the phone but hung up when asked to comment Friday about the charges. Each carries a possible sentence of two to eight years in prison.
His arrest "underscores the fact that these sexual predators are everywhere," Brizzi said. "There's no sign flashing above their head."
A probable cause affidavit filed in Marion Superior Court provided copies of two instant-message sessions. Each time, a person with the screen name "garays281" discussed sexual acts; in one, the person tried to make plans for a meeting at the girl's home.
Both times, "garays281" contacted the investigators. After he was added to a buddy list, his screen name changed to "Blas Garay," the document says.
Detectives served a search warrant Thursday at Garay's home in the 4000 block of Continental Court on Indianapolis' Southside. Garay told them the screen name belonged to him.
Officers seized his computer, a Comcast bill, a digital camera and a framed photo. In it, Brizzi said, Garay flashes a hand sign that appears to be the same used by the 2-1 FATAL gang. Members of that gang were accused of setting fire to a Near-Southside home last year.
Garay was reprimanded this year for posting a photo of himself wearing his uniform and badge on MySpace.com, a violation of department rules.
www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061014/LOCAL/610140512