Sting leads to Internet sex arrest

GAINESVILLE - Investigators with the Hall County Sheriff's Office, Internet Crimes Against Children Unit (ICAC), have arrested a Cobb County man after the completion of a four-month Internet chatroom undercover operation.

John Ethan Michael, 29, of Kennesaw, was after conducting sexually explicit chat with an Undercover Officer posing as a 14-year-old girl, according to Col. Jeff Strickland.

Strickland says Michael made arrangements to meet with the girl at a pre-designated location. On Thursday, according to Strickland, Michael traveled to Hall County to meet with the girl and was arrested by undercover officers without incident upon his arrival at the designated location.

He has been charged with Sexual Exploitation of Children and Obscene Internet Contact with a Child.

Col. Strickland says the sting was not related to a statewide crackdown on Internet child pornography that is being conducted this week.