Internet stalker gets sentence of 10 years
Posted on Wednesday, August 27, 2008
HOT SPRINGS — A Hot Springs man arrested last year in a sting operation targeting online predators pleaded guilty to a felony charge of Internet stalking of a child Monday in Garland County Circuit Court.
John Matthew Wagner, 22, who has remained in jail in lieu of $ 3, 500 bond since his arrest Nov. 29, appeared with his court-appointed attorney, Mark Fraiser, to enter his plea and was sentenced to 10 years in prison. He will be required to register as a sex offender upon his release.
Wagner was set to stand trial Tuesday and could have faced up to 20 years in prison. His sentence will run concurrent with a fiveyear sentence for the revocation of his probation from a 2005 arson conviction.
According to the affidavit, Hot Springs Police Sgt. Tim Smith logged on to Yahoo Messenger posing as a 14-year-old Hot Springs girl. Wagner indicated he was 21, authorities said.
After messages indicating he wanted to meet for sex and a few phone conversations with a female police officer posing as the 14-year-old girl, a meeting was arranged, authorities said. Wagner was taken into custody at the meeting location.
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