A Fairfax County grand jury last week indicted two men for allegedly soliciting sex over the Internet. They are Bryant Frederick O'Neill, 59, of Route 2, Box 820, in Harper's Ferry, W. Va., and Rodney Ian Butler, 45, of 10100 Brandon Way in Manassas.
In both cases, say police, the men thought they were communicating with a 13-year-old girl. Instead, the object of their affection was really a male police detective with the Child Exploitation Unit.
Police said O'Neill and his "teen" were allegedly exchanging e-mails since November 2001. After reportedly arranging to meet her in Centreville to have sex, said police, O'Neill was arrested July 7 at 10 a.m.
As for Butler, authorities said he and his "teen" were allegedly exchanging e-mails for less than a week. After reportedly setting up a meeting with her in Centreville to have sexual relations, said police, Butler was arrested July 28 at 5:30 p.m.
Both men were charged with using a communications system to facilitate certain offenses involving children. If convicted, they could each be sentenced to as much as five years in prison. Following their indictments last Monday, Nov. 15, by the grand jury, O'Neill is scheduled for a nonjury trial on Jan. 4, and Butler is slated to enter a plea on Jan. 3.
<tgl> — Bonnie Hobbs