Reno Police Department Human Exploitation and Trafficking (HEAT) unit says a man has been arrested after initiating online conversation with an undercover detective posing as a 14-year-old female. 

Officials say 34-year-old Justin Sortino reportedly engaged in online conversation that was sexual in nature with the undercover detective, who Sortino believed to be a 14-year-old female. Sortino reportedly arranged a meeting to engage in sexual activity with the detective. 

On Feb. 24, the HEAT unit says Sortino arrived at the agreed-upon location and was arrested without incident. 

Sortino faces charges of luring a child with a computer for sex, attempted kidnapping of a minor, attempted statutory sexual seduction and attempted use of a minor to produce photography. 

 This is an ongoing investigation and officials ask anyone with information to contact HEAT at 775-325-6470.

Officials released a list of considerations for parents who have children using the internet:

  • Does your child have their own smartphone or access to a computer?
  • Are they using social networking apps or other sites?
  • Do you know who their followers are and who they follow?
  • Have you talked to them about the responsible use of these apps?
  • Do they know how to ignore/ report unwanted contacts?

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