Crown Point Man Charged With Child Solicitation In Valparaiso
On April 28, 2024 Valparaiso Police were dispatched to Speedway gas station located at 2005 Morthland Dr in reference to a male adult who came to meet a child, according to court records.
A group called N.W.I Predator Catchers was using a decoy account online posing as a 13-year-old girl, court records stated. The male now identified as Raul Cano III, 38, of Crown Point spoke to the decoy account, asking her age, asking for pictures, and asking to meet up.
The decoy advised Cano that she was 13, to which Cano replied, “Do you want to meet up?” The decoy advised Cano she had no transportation to meet. Cano told the decoy he would come to Valparaiso the next day and get her so they could go back to his home. Cano asked the decoy for more pictures. Additional photos were sent and Cano replied, “Damn you’re cute as f.” Cano then asked for even more pics saying, “You want this d or no?” Cano continued texting saying he wanted her to worship this d* and to send more “sexy pics.” The decoy refused to send anymore pictures to which Cano replied, “I will get you as long as you are old enough, have a p**, and are down.” The decoy emphasized again that she was only 13. Cano then said, “Just tell me you are old enough.” The decoy responded she was in fact old enough for that. Cano said, “That’s good enough for me, where do I get you?”
The two continued to converse, arranging the pick-up. At one point Cano told
the decoy that he is getting her, “So you can come be daddy’s girl.” He again stated, “But tell me you’re old enough to be daddy’s girl.”
The next day Cano continued to express concerns about whether the decoy was real. Ultimately, he stated he would be coming to Valparaiso to get her. Cano asked the decoy if she would be okay at his home, stating it is about 20 minutes away from her home. They continued to talk until Cano arrived at Speedway in Valparaiso. FCano texted the decoy to inform her that he was at the Speedway gas station.
At that point NWI Predator Catchers confronted Cano on Facebook LIVE before he took off realizing he was set up. Police obtained his license plate and the conversations and issued an arrest warrant after an investigation.
Cano is currently in Porter County Jail charged with Child Solicitation a Level 4 Felony.
