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BUCKHANNON – A tip from an online "child predator sting influencer" led to the arrest of a man in Upshur County, police said.
Richard Franklin Wood, 55, has been charged with soliciting a minor via computer, and attempted use of minors in filming sexually explicit conduct, both felonies. He is being held in Tygart Valley Regional Jail on a $25,000 cash-only bond.
According to a release from the Buckhannon Police Department, officers received "a tip from Niky Sal," an online influencer from Erie, Pennsylvania who sets up "sting operations" to catch child predators. Sal allegedly told BPD officers that Wood "was engaging in sexually explicit conversation with a believed 14-year-old girl."
Patrolman First Class J. Warner investigated the incident and arrested Wood, the release states. The West Virginia State Police and Oklahoma Predator Prevention also assisted in the investigation, police said.
"Parents and Guardians, please do not hesitate to go through your child's phone/computer/Xbox/iPad or any other electronic device to see who they are communicating with," the Buckhannon Police Department release states. "If you suspect any kind of harm being done to your child, please call 911. Officers can get on top of the situation before it's too late!"
Sal, whose real name is Nicholas Attalla, made headlines last year when he was stabbed during a confrontation with a man in Jamestown, New York, who Attalla said was attempting to meet up with a 14-year-old girl.
Attalla was later charged with third-degree assault, second-degree criminal nuisance and endangering the welfare of a child, stemming from the Jamestown incident.