NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – Mendocino County Sheriff’s officials have taken a Richmond man into custody after he used Craigslist in an attempt to contact a 14-year-old for sex.
Michael Wolfgang Sparks, 40, was arrested on charges of sending harmful matter to a minor, contact with intent to commit a lewd act with a minor and meeting with a minor for the purpose of a lewd act, according to Lt. Greg Van Patten of the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office.
Van Patten said sheriff’s deputies initiated an investigation on Oct. 13 after receiving information that an unknown adult male – later identified as Sparks – was attempting to make contact with a minor through Craigslist for unknown reasons.
He said deputies initiated contact with Sparks through the Craigslist posting, posing as the 14-year-old.
Over a period of almost one month, deputies exchanged correspondence with Sparks through email, Van Patten said.
As a result of the communications with Sparks and the lewd nature and content of those emails, investigators concluded that Sparks wanted to have sex with the minor, according to Van Patten.
An arrangement was made with Sparks to meet in the Fort Bragg area. Van Patten said it was Sparks’ belief that he would meet and pick up the minor, and that the meeting would lead to the opportunity for sex with the teen.
At 10 a.m. last Saturday, Nov. 10, Sparks was arrested after driving from Richmond to the Fort Bragg area in order to meet with the minor at that arranged date and time, Van Patten said.
During an interview after Sparks’ arrest, he admitted to having the intent to engage the minor in sexual intercourse and was found in possession of items that would be used to facilitate that act, according to Van Patten.
Van Patten said Sparks was transported to the Mendocino County Jail and booked. Bail was set at $50,000.