A limousine driver from Delaware who thought he was luring a 15-year-old boy for sex was actually communicating with a Delaware County detective, said Delaware County District Attorney Jack Whelan.
Whelan announced the arrest of Lawrence K. Walls, 58, of Millsboro, De., in a press release on Friday, Dec. 11. Walls is facing multiple felony charges, including attempted indecent assault and statutory sexual assault and criminal use of a communications facility.
The arrest concluded an undercover investigation by Det. Kenneth Bellis of the Delaware County Criminal Investigation Division and Sgt. Gary Smith of Aston Township Police Department, both members of the Pennsylvania Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC), the release said.
On Oct. 11, while acting in undercover capacity and posing as a 15-year-old boy named Nick, Aston Police Det. Sgt. Gary Smith responded to an internet ad titled, “Young man wanted - m4m” posted by Walls. Over the next month, Smith engaged in numerous conversations with “Nick” that escalated in their sexual content. Walls also sent nude pictures to “Nick” and asked him to do the same, the release said.
On Dec. 10, Walls exchanged numerous text messages to arrange a meeting with “Nick” in an Aston parking lot. At 6:43 p.m., Walls texted “I’m here” and was taken into custody without incident by members of the ICAC Task Force, including Smith, Bellis, and FBI Special Agent Jennifer Morrow, the release said.
Walls was remanded to the Delaware County Prison after failing to post $100,000 cash bail set by Magisterial District Judge Diane Holefelder. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for 9 a.m. on Dec. 23, according to court records.
“I would like to commend Det. Sgt. Gary Smith of Aston Police as well as Det. Kenneth Bellis, along with all the members of the ICAC Task Force for their investigation and swift action to apprehend this dangerous predator,” Whelan said in the release. “We believe travelers are some of the most dangerous offenders, as they travel into Delaware County to take advantage of young children who are unsuspecting and in many cases, already troubled and therefore vulnerable.”
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