POINT PLEASANT, WV (LOOTPRESS) – A man was arrested in Mason County on Saturday night after traveling to meet up with a purported minor juvenile to engage in sexual activity.
The Mason County Sheriff’s Office reports that Michael Salmons – 28 years old of Huntington, WV – was taken into custody for the charge of “TRAVELING TO ENGAGE A MINOR IN PROHIBITED SEXUAL ACTIVITY and for ultimately making an overt act to meet the minor, who he thought was only 15 years old.”
The arrest, which occurred in the Ashton area at a non-disclosed location, was reportedly made without incident.
As of Sunday morning, Salmons was being housed at Western Regional Jail while awaiting arraignment.
“This is the third such arrest made inside 2 months from our efforts to hold child predators accountable in our County,” said the Mason County Sheriff’s Office.
The investigation, a joint effort with the Sheriff’s Office, the Mason County Prosecutor’s Office, and Operation Juicebox with law endorsement oversight, was led by Corporal J.A. Ferrell.
“For those who think we have relaxed our efforts, let this be a reminder that we are vigilant, and we are watching,” said the Mason County Sheriff’s Office. “We will not let up on our resolve to hold these predators accountable.”