Monday, November 16, 2009

An Ark City man has been arrested after police said he solicited sex from Cowley County girls he met online. Police said the man chatted with dozens of Cowley County teens.

Thomas Lee Pennycuff, 25, was arrested on 13 counts electronic solicitation of a child and one count of aggravated indecent liberties with a child.

Sedgwick County Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) investigators contacted Ark City police earlier this month. Investigators said Pennycuff had been chatting with an investigator posing as a 13-year-old girl. Officers said Pennycuff agreed to meet the investigator and was arrested at the location of the meeting.

Ark City police obtained a search warrant and searched Pennycuff's residence and computer. The investigation revealed Pennycuff chatted with 80 teenage girls online in Cowley County. Officers interviewed all of the girls and determined that Pennycuff met with 13 of the girls.

Ark City police are asking parents of daughters who frequent social network site to see if they had any contact with Pennycuff. They can contact Ark City Police investigations at (620) 441-4435.