Lt. Weaver: Parkersburg Man Charged with Soliciting Minor Via Computer; Facing 2 to 10 Years in Jail
By Jeff Toquinto on June 28, 2016 via Connect-Bridgeport.com
The Bridgeport Police Department and its Internet Crimes against Children (ICAC) unit once again may have stopped a potential predator. Last week, a 39-year-old Parkersburg man, Paul Thomas “Tommy” Bean, was charged with soliciting a minor via computer.
The change is a felony. Bean, if he is convicted, could face between two and 10 years in prison. Bean would also be required to register 
as a sex offender, said Weaver.
as a sex offender, said Weaver.
This investigation started like many of the rest. Weaver said it became through social media.
“We saw some things on social media and an email conversation began between the two of us,” said Weaver, who also said texts were exchanged. “He was under the impression that he was talking to a 15-year-old female.”
Eventually, Weaver said the talk became sexual. In fact, he said it was extremely explicit. That is what lead to the charges.
Unlike past arrests involving the ICAC where the suspect comes to Bridgeport to meet with what they believe to be an underage individual, this one did not get to that level. Instead, Weaver said everything ended in the home town of the alleged suspect.
“The way the investigation was going we went to Parkersburg and worked with the Parkersburg Police Department and the State Police and set up an interview with the suspect,” said Weaver. “During the interview he admitted it.”
Weaver said he was accompanied to Parkersburg by Detective Brian Kemmerer. He said the Bridgeport Police, the ICAC unit, the State Police and the Parkersburg Police Department were all involved in the case.
The incident allegedly took place earlier this month. He was arraigned last week in Harrison County in front of Harrison County Chief Magistrate Frank DeMarco. He was released on $5,000 bond.
Editor's Note: Pictured above is Lt. and Detective Gary Weaver.
Editor's Note: Pictured above is Lt. and Detective Gary Weaver.
