Athens, AL (BuzzReport) — A weeklong undercover investigation conducted by the Limestone County Sheriff’s Office has resulted in the arrest of an Athens man on charges related to the electronic solicitation of a child and traveling to meet a child for unlawful sex acts.
According to authorities, investigators with the Limestone County Sheriff’s Office Special Operations Team began receiving messages on January 20 through an online account portraying a child. The account was operated by investigators as part of the Millstone Project, an initiative aimed at identifying and apprehending individuals seeking to exploit minors online.
The suspect was identified as William Chase Colburn, 26, of Athens, Alabama. Investigators say Colburn believed he was communicating with a child during the online exchanges. Throughout the conversations, Colburn allegedly directed the undercover investigator to meet him for the purpose of engaging in unlawful sexual acts.
On January 27, Colburn traveled to a predetermined location with the intent to carry out those acts and was taken into custody by the Limestone County Sheriff’s Office Special Operations Team. Authorities stated that probable cause was established to charge Colburn with Electronic Solicitation of a Child and Traveling to Meet a Child for Unlawful Sex Acts.
As of this report, a bond has not been set. Under Alabama law, the Office of the Sheriff does not determine bond amounts. Bond is a constitutional right and is set by a judge or magistrate. The Sheriff’s Office is responsible for enforcing the law and housing individuals who are arrested, while bond decisions are handled by the courts.
Limestone County Sheriff Joshua McLaughlin praised the efforts of those involved in the investigation and emphasized the importance of parental awareness.
“The success of the Millstone Project is a direct result of the relentless work of our Corrections Officers, Deputies, Dispatchers, and Investigators who refuse to let predators operate in our community,” McLaughlin said. “They do an outstanding job every day. Parents need to understand this clearly: giving your child unrestricted access to the internet gives predators unrestricted access to your child. This online world is not the one we grew up in. Offenders will groom, manipulate, and talk your children right out of your home before you ever realize what’s happening. Monitor your children’s online activity. If you see something suspicious, say something immediately; you could save a child’s life.”
The investigation remains ongoing.