Man arrested after meeting up with 14-year-old in New Riegel

New Riegel, Ohio — A 40-year-old man was arrested after allegedly meeting up with a 14-year-old in New Riegel.

The incident occurred Tuesday at approximately 12:25 a.m., according to a press release from the Seneca County Sheriff’s Office.

According to the release, deputies on patrol came across a parked vehicle in the parking lot of 44 N. Perry Street in New Riegel. Upon approaching the vehicle, they discovered Victor West, of Oregon, Ohio, as the operator of the vehicle, and a 14-year-old juvenile as the passenger. Further investigation revealed that the two had met on a social media app and had arranged to meet in person at the parking lot.

West was subsequently arrested and charged with unlawful sexual conduct with a minor and contributing to the delinquency of a juvenile. The juvenile was also charged with delinquency, though further details about the juvenile have not been released due to their age.

Detectives from the Seneca County Sheriff’s Office are currently investigating the case, which is considered ongoing.

Sheriff Fred Stevens urged parents and guardians to have conversations with young people about the risks associated with online dating and the importance of being cautious when forming relationships online.

“Due to the nature of the online world, young people can easily place a stronger emotional connection with online-only relationships at the expense of friends and family that they know in real life,” Sheriff Stevens said. “Not everyone children meet online will have the right intentions, so it’s important to discuss the risk surrounding online dating such as online grooming and also what signs to look out for to avoid putting themselves in unsafe situations.”