Crime & Safety
CoCo Man Arrested For Arranging Sex With Teen, Police Say
A 40-year-old man was arrested after police impersonated a 14-year-old girl and enticed him into meeting at a Martinez park.
CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA — A 40-year-old Clayton man was charged Thursday after allegedly attempting to meet with a minor for sex, the Contra Costa District Attorney's Office said.
Daniel Steven Paul faces charges that include attempted lewd acts and unlawful communications with a minor, and arranging to meet a minor for sex.
Officials said an investigation of Paul began when the county Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force learned he had been the subject of an inquiry in another country for distributing harmful material to someone he believed was a minor.
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Agents contact Paul by text message and he "Paul began to attempt to entice what he believed to be a 14-year-old girl into meeting with him for sex," officials said.
On Wednesday he went to what he allegedly thought was a meeting with the girl at Hidden Lakes Park in Martinez. Instead, he was arrested and booked at the Martinez Detention Facility.
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Police said condoms and alcohol were found in a search of his vehicle.
Paul remains in custody with bail set at $250,000. He was scheduled to make his first court appearance on Friday.
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