New London police arrested a 42-year-old man in Hatten Park Saturday, Nov. 28, after he arranged to meet an undercover officer that he believed was a 14-year-old girl.
Aaron M. Fredin, New London, was charged Monday with attempted sexual assault of a child, child enticement, use of a computer to facilitate a child sex crime, and attempting to expose harmful materials to a child.
New London police-school liaison officer Joshua Wilson spoke to a student who said Fredin sent her inappropriate messages on Facebook, and she was concerned he was sending similar messages to other young girls.
On Nov. 10, Wilson sent a “friend” request to Fredin, using an undercover Facebook profile for a 17-year-old girl who would turn 18.
According to the criminal complaint, Fredin did not accept the “friend” request, but he did post “Love u.” on the girl’s Facebook wall.
Over the course of several days, Wilson and Fredin messaged each other on Facebook. Fredin allegedly sent his cellphone number and home address to the undercover officer even though he indicated he was a 14-year-old girl.
Investigators say Fredin asked, “Do u want to make love some day?” The officer responded, “If u don’t care i’m only 14 i would.”
Fredin is accused of sending sexually explicit messages and photos to the “14-year-old girl.”
Wilson sent a photo to Fredin of a police department employee when she was in seventh grade.
The officer then arranged to meet Fredin in Hatten Park, where Fredin was arrested.
On Monday, Nov. 30, Judge Raymond Huber set a $10,000 cash bond as a condition of Fredin’s release from custody.
Fredin faces up to 40 years in prison if convicted of attempted sexual assault of a child.