Minnesota Man Accused of Soliciting Child for Sex During Rochester Sting

Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News)- Authorities in Rochester have issued an arrest warrant for a Minnesota man in connection with a child sex solicitation sting. 

See Also: Rochester Man Accused of Using Cryptocurrency to Purchase Child Pornography 

The warrant, filed in Olmsted County Court on Wednesday, says Rochester police conducted the undercover operation last year. 

It involved an undercover officer posing as a 14-year-old girl on social media. 

Rochester PD Undercover Operation: Southwest Minnesota Man Wanted for Soliciting a Minor for Sex

48-year-old Jared Leroy Peterson sent the account an apparent selfie-style photo last October. The two began exchanging messages in late October, the warrant says. 

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In November, Peterson, who has an address in the southwestern Minnesota community of Steen, indicated he planned to travel to Rochester to watch the fake teen “compete in activities,” the complaint says.

He also offered to buy her Chipotle. 

Sexual Conversations

The warrant indicates Peterson began sending the undercover officer messages that were sexual in nature in November. He talked about the two meeting up in Rochester and offered to get the two of them a hotel room. 

The warrant alleges Peterson discussed sex positions and sent other sexually-charged messages while discussing what they would do in the room. 

Meeting in Rochester Repeatedly Discussed but Never Happens

Peterson and the undercover officer continued to talk about meeting until early January. At one point, they made a plan to meet in Rochester at Peterson’s suggestion, but he never came to Rochester, according to the complaint. 

Authorities are issuing a warrant due to being unsure whether Peterson lives in Minnesota or South Dakota. The warrant was also issued to prevent the destruction evidence, the court document states. 

Peterson is charged with one count of Engage in Electronic Communication Relating or Describing Sexual Conduct with Child.

Update: Olmsted County Adult Detention Center records show Peterson was arrested Thursday afternoon.