Another Day, Another MySpace Predator

I really don’t post everything that Trench posts on his excellent site, MyCrimeSpace.com. I just cherry pick a few of the disturbing ones, so Thanks, Trench.

In this instance, a predator that works with troubled teens stalked and molested a 14-year-old girl.

From Hernandotoday Here:

MySpace contact results in man’s arrest

BROOKSVILLE A 24-year-old Spring Hill man has been charged with sexual battery after he met a 14-year old girl on a popular Internet site, then had sex with her, according to an arrest affidavit from the Hernando County Sheriff s Office.

James M. Tarduno, 3137 Wiltshire Ave., was arrested Tuesday and faces charges of lewd and lascivious battery on a child.

The victim told investigators that she met Tarduno on MySpace.com, a popular social Internet site frequented by young people.

The two corresponded for a month online and through text messages on cell phones, then made arrangements to meet for sex, according to the report.

Tarduno met the victim at her house last Friday and they walked to Tarduno s home, where they had sexual contact in the driveway, the report said. They also had sex in Tarduno s station wagon, police said.

According to the report, Tarduno worked in security at Eckerd Youth Alternatives E-How-Kee Camp, a camp in Brooksville for troubled youngsters.

Tarduno started as a night watchman at the camp earlier this year and had no direct contact with youngsters there, said Lou Anne Banks, a spokeswoman for Eckerd Youth Alternatives, when reached Tuesday afternoon.

Banks said Tarduno passed law enforcement background checks at the time of his application. She said Tarduno no longer works with us as of this morning.

Trench also notes on his page about a sting roundup in Florida where 24 sexual predators were lured to a home to engage in sex with minors. As Trench asks, “It’s 10 o’ clock. Do you know who your kids are talking to?”