BARTON COUNTY—Over the course the past several days, Barton County Sheriff’s Office detectives became aware of an attempted unlawful solicitation of a child, according to a media release.
The online organization Motor City Justice contacted local authorities with the information. The facts were reviewed by Sheriff’s Office detectives and the Barton County Attorney’s Office. It was determined the best course of action would be to conduct a sting operation to capture the suspect.
At 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, detectives facilitated a sting operation near the intersection of 24th and Washington in Great Bend. The suspect identified as 24-year-old Dakota Payne arrived at the scene believing he was meeting a juvenile female. Shortly thereafter, deputies arrested Payne without incident.
He is being held on $100,000 bond on requested charges of indecent solicitation of a child, attempted exploitation of a child and electronic solicitation of a child.