3 men arrested in ‘To Catch a Predator’ type sting

Three additional suspects were arrested this week for allegedly trying to lure a 14-year-old female to meet them for sex through Facebook.

Joel Smith, 23, William Speakman, 26, and Robert Lee Hurley III, 20, were taken into custody Wednesday for luring a child with a computer for sex acts following a Nye County Sheriff’s Office investigation into allegations that the men had individually conversed with a female on Facebook who identified herself as 14 for the purpose of possibly engaging in sexual activities with her.

Their arrests make four this week for the same offense after 22-year-old James Ross was taken into custody Monday for allegedly attempting to meet a 14-year-old female at the LDS church located near Wilson Road and West Street.

According to Smith’s declaration of arrest, in a Facebook message between himself and the alleged female, police say Smith to the girl he wanted to have sex with her. The two also allegedly discussed the girl sneaking out of her home to meet him at the corner of Barney Street and Our Road.

Detectives responded to the intersection after reading the message and located Smith standing on the corner. Smith was placed under arrest and allegedly indicated that he went there to meet a 14-year-old for sex. He allegedly further stated he was only going to do it because all of his friends do it.

Later that day, NCSO detectives were investigating another Facebook message, this time between Hurley and a female who said she was 14 years old.

According to Hurley’s arrest report, the 20-year-old allegedly told the female he wanted to do sexual things with her and further acknowledged because of her age there could be law enforcement action over his behavior. Police said Hurley further told the girl if she sneaked out to meet him it could lead to statutory rape charges against him.

Hurley allegedly agreed to meet the girl at Petrack Park Wednesday night.

When detectives responded to the park to investigate, officers located Hurley in his vehicle in an empty parking lot. He was subsequently placed under arrest and during an interview allegedly stated he left home that evening with the intention to meet a 14-year-old female for sex.

Police say Speakman allegedly tried to hook up with the girl via Facebook.

Speakman allegedly acknowledged the age of the female multiple times and even made reference to police stings to catch predators doing the same thing he was doing by talking to her. He then agreed to meet the girl near his home.

When police responded to the area where he planned to meet the girl, detectives reportedly made contact with Speakman carrying blankets in his arms. Speakman was arrested and during an interview allegedly admitted he knew what he was doing was wrong.

As of Thursday afternoon Speakman, Ross and Smith remained in custody at the Nye County Detention Center. Hurley has since been released from custody.