A cross-country truck driver from Arizona was arrested during a child exploitation sting after allegedly attempting to meet up with an underage girl in Hartford, police said.
Russell D. Barney, 55, of Safford, Arizona, is facing charges of criminal attempt/illegal sexual contact with a minor under 16, second-degree criminal attempt/sexual assault, first-degree illegal possession of child pornography and promoting a minor for obscene performance, according to Lt. Aaron Boisvert of the Hartford Police Department.
The Hartford Police Department’s Special Investigations Division, in collaboration with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, conducted an operation targeting child exploitation on April 6. Undercover law enforcement personnel reportedly posed as the uncle of a 15-year-old girl on the internet and “engaged in dialogue” with Barney, a a cross-country semi-truck driver, Boisvert said.
During the online discussions, Barney allegedly shared explicit pornographic images with the detective, according to Boisvert. He allegedly consented to “engage in sexual relations” with the teen and agreed to meet at a service station in Hartford, Boisvert said.
An undercover operation was set up with the assistance of the Hartford Police Department’s Major Crimes Division, community service officers and the FBI, according to Boisvert. As Barney approached the undercover vehicle, Hartford police officers and federal agents surrounded him and placed him under arrest, Boisvert said.
Barney was transported to the Special Investigations Division. During the investigation, police learned that he was in possession of child pornography, according to Boisvert. Barney was then transported to the Detention Division for processing.
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