CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA (CVILLE RIGHT NOW) – Anthony Ryan Bates, a 46-year-old Martinsburg, West Virginia man, has been arrested for soliciting a minor after an undercover sting operation by the Charlottesville Police Department.
According to CPD, on July 17, Bates made online contact with a person he believed was a 14-year-old girl “with the intent of engaging in sexual activity.” In fact, Bates was conversing with a CPD undercover detective. The two arranged a meeting the next day at the Barracks Road Shopping Center.
When Bates arrived, he was taken into custody by the CPD and charged with one count of using communication systems while taking indecent liberties with a minor, and two counts of using communication systems to solicit a minor…