Another falls for deputy’s Internet trap
Posted on Tuesday, August 8, 2006
URL: http://www.nwanews.com/bcdr/News/38196/
BENTONVILLE — A third suspect has been arrested in the Benton County Sheriff’s Office’s sting to catch Internet sexual predators.
Herman Lee Gillum, 38, of Shelby County, Tenn., was arrested Aug. 3 after his alleged Internet communications with BCSO investigator Rob Holly, who poses online as a teenager.
Holly was pretending to be a 14-year-old girl on June 15 in an Arkansas chat room on Yahoo when he made contact with Gillum, said Capt. Mike Sydoriak, head of the BCSO’s Criminal Investigation division.
In weeks following June 15, Holly had numerous conversations with Gillum, and most of their communications would turn sexual in nature, Sydoriak said.
According to Sydoriak, on June 19, Gillum asked Holly to view his (Gillum’s ) webcam, and Holly accepted the offer and was able to get a picture of Gillum. Holly spoke with Gillum two days later, and Gillum turned on his webcam, and the investigator was able to view Gillum partially naked and selfgratifying himself, Sydoriak said. Holly was able to record the act, Sydoriak said.
Gillum was arrested Aug. 3 for computer child pornography, a class B felony, by the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office, and he has waived extradition to Arkansas.
The BCSO started the Internet operation in May, and Gillum is the third person that has been arrested for online contact with Holly.