GRANT COUNTY, Ind. — Police have arrested a 77-year-old Indy man at a Mexican restaurant in Grant County after they say he arranged a dinner with a 13-year-old girl who was actually a decoy set up by a local predator catcher group.
Michael Scanlan, 77, was arrested this week in Marion and charged with child solicitation under the age of 14, a level 4 felony. The arrest came after he allegedly tried to meet up with a girl he thought was 13, but was actually a decoy set up by Predator Catchers Indiana (PCI).
Officers with the Marion Police Department were called on Monday afternoon to a Mexican restaurant in the 3100 block of S. Western Avenue to meet with PCI employees who said that a white male in his 70s was there to meet with a 13-year-old girl.
Upon arrival, an officer met with PCI employees who were standing outside the restaurant with a man later identified as Scanlan. As police looked through PCI's binder of evidence, Scanlan reportedly admitted that he "arranged to have dinner with a 13-year-old girl, which was stupid."
As police read through various screenshots, PCI employees explained that Scanlan had initially contacted the teenage decoy on an app called MeetMe before exchanging phone numbers. While messaging over text, Scanlan reportedly turned the conversation sexual.
"It's fine sweet girl if you don't mind how old I am," Scanlan's texts read. "And believe me Rachel if you let me eat your p***y you will c*m."
Throughout the messages, Scanlan reportedly openly acknowledged that the decoy was 13.
"Wow, you really must only be 13," one message read.
Scanlan reportedly asked the girl for "a pic of titties and nipples" before asking when they could meet up. The decoy said that she had school but could meet up for lunch, and Scanlan reportedly told her to meet in a Walmart parking lot near the restaurant.
"I'll be there I am in a dark blue Camry hybrid," Scanlan messaged, describing his vehicle.
However, instead of a 13-year-old girl, Scanlan was met in the parking lot by multiple members of the predator catcher group who then contacted police.
Scanlan was ultimately detained on scene and declined to answer any of the officer's questions, instead saying he wanted to speak to an attorney. He was then handcuffed and taken to the Grant County Jail where he was booked on one count of child solicitation.
While en route to the jail, Scanlan reportedly told officers that he was from Indianapolis but was recently kicked out of his house by his wife. Police concluded that he had traveled to Marion "to meet a 13-year-old girl for sexual pleasure."
Grant County Jail's current inmate list no longer includes Scanlan. Online court records have not yet been updated to reflect an initial hearing in his case. No other information was provided by the Marion Police Department.