MATTOON, IL-(Effingham Radio)- A Mattoon man was taken into custody recently for solicitation of a child.
According to a press release from the Mattoon Police Department, officers took 44 year old, Thomas C Patton into custody on Friday, June 8th at 10:51pm.
The arrest occurred in the 1300 block of Walnut Avenue.
Allegedly, Patton was trolling Facebook attempting to meet young boys.
He then allegedly met a teen boy online and was soliciting the boy for physical relations.
He then allegedly furthered the engagement by asking the boy to meet him in a local park to engage in the relations.
Patton then went to the park and was taken into custody by a police officer for Indecent Solicitation of a Child and Solicitation to meet a Child.
Patton was taken to the Coles County Jail.
According to Judici.com, State’s Attorney Bower and Patton appeared in court on June 10th.
Patton appeared via a closed circuit television.
Patton’s bond was set at $100,000 with the special condition that Patton not be in contact with the victim, a minor or anyone under the age of 18 (including electronic communication), and the victim’s residence.
Additional bond conditions are that Patton be precluded from using social media including, but not limited to the internet for the purpose of communication.
Patton was appointed Public Defender Ortega for representation.
He is set to appear for a preliminary hearing on June 18th.