Thanks to the quick thinking of a concerned parent, a New Jersey man is being held in the Hancock County jail on attempted sexual abuse charges involving a minor. Hancock County Sheriff’s authorities arrested 36-year old Richard H. Johanson in Garner thursday evening on a tip from the mother of a 14-year old whom Johanson allegedly solicited over the internet. Posing as her daughter in an open chat room, the mother discovered the improper overtures and contacted authorities. The sheriff’s office then set up a secure public meeting between the teenager and Johanson, who then tried to lure the girl away for sex. When the teenager did not comply, Johanson tried to flee. But he was apprehended. Authorities are asking parents to speak candidly with their children about the dangers of revealing personal information over the internet. They urge parents to monitor their child’s internet usage and verify the people and places their child visits.
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