Cleveland area man arrested for attempting to buy child on internet
Posted: Jan 13, 2014 7:58 PM CDT | Updated: Nov 5, 2014 1:13 PM CDT
ALLIANCE (WJW) -- A Cuyahoga Falls man was arrested Saturday evening after police said he attempted to buy a 10-year-old girl for sexual purposes.
Investigators said Robert Thomas, 36, made a post on an online site asking if anyone would be willing to arrange a \"marriage\" of their daughter to him.
An Alliance Police officer responded to the man and began a conversation. During the conversation, Thomas requested a child between the ages of 5 and 8, and eventually offered to pay $400.00 cash for a 10-year-old girl.
Thomas said he wanted to keep the girl permanently at his home, and engage in sexual conduct with her, and to \"train her to please him.\"
The officer arranged to meet with Thomas in Alliance. When Thomas arrived he had cash in his hand to buy the child, according to police.
He was arrested by several undercover officers.
Alliance Detectives searched Thomas' home and found several items including sexual paraphernalia, video, and a rifle with a grenade launcher mounted on it.
Thomas is being held in the Stark County Jail on a 2 million dollar bond.