Alleged sex predator tries to bed 13yo

A 54-year-old San Mateo man was arrested in a joint investigation by the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security for sending harmful material to a minor and attempting lewd acts with a child under 14.

According to the sheriff’s office, Roger Mihara was trolling the Internet for sex when he unwittingly solicited an undercover Homeland Security agent who was posing as a 13-year-old girl traveling in the area with her parents.

On Wednesday, Mihara arranged to meet the girl and her parents in order to make arrangements for him to have sex with the girl.

Mihara reserved a hotel room in Santa Cruz and purchased alcohol for the parents in preparation for the visit.

He also purchased gifts for the girl, according to sheriff’s deputies.

Instead, Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office detectives met Mihara at the hotel and arrested him.

Mihara was booked into the Santa Cruz County Jail on $50,000 bail.

Bay City News

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