Portage Police Arrest 2 After NWI Predator Sting
Around 2 AM, on April 4th, Portage Police responded to the 6600 block of Wind Jammer Way in reference to an adult male coming to meet what he believed was a 13 year old girl, according to police reports.
Portage Police met with a group called NWI Predator Catchers who told officers a subject now identified as Joseph Cronin, 46, who was enroute from Kingsford Heights to meet what he thought was a 13 year old girl. Several explicit sexual text messages were shown to officers by the group sent from Mr. Cronin including photos of himself. Mr. Cronin also asked if the 13 year old decoy could provide him with $100 for gas so he could get a ride to Portage. Also turned over to the officers was two recorded phone calls in which Mr. Cronin advised he was bringing “a thing like speed” with him.
Officers parked and awaited the arrival of Mr. Cronin who eventually showed up in a Ford Ranger to the location which was driven by a different male. Police confronted the Mr. Cronin and the driver immediately to begin questioning them. When officers asked Mr. Cronin what was doing there he told them he came to meet an 18 year old girl he met on a dating app. When further questioned about the girls age and her being allegedly 13, Mr. Cronin stated, he did not know she was underage. He then stated he believed her to be of age due to having an account on the app. Cronin also stated she looked older than thirteen in her photos, he then changed his story claiming a nephew of his ended up obtaining access to his cellphone and possibly sent the texts in question, and ultimately stated he did not believe when she stated she was thirteen. Cronin ultimately admitted to knowing her to be thirteen and stated he asked about why she was not in school and told her she should not be on app given the adult nature of it.
When asked about the drug conversations, Cronin stated he texted about marijuana, but nothing else. Officers then asked about the methamphetamine he mentioned in previous conversation. Cronin stated he did not mention any drugs and then stated he was talking about marijuana. Cronin again emphasized, “the thing like speed” he was talking about marijuana.
Cronin was ultimately advised he was being arrested for Child Solicitation. Joseph L. Cronin was preliminary charged with two counts of Child Solicitation (Level 4 & 5 Felonies). Cronin was lodged in the Porter County Jail.
The driver of the Ranger was questioned and advised police he had no idea the intentions of Cronin and that he was being paid gas money to give him ride to meet a girl he knew. While officers initially approached the driver they saw him place a glass pipe in the bed of the truck, according to the report. When officers inspected the glass pipe they noticed it had a white residue in it, later identified as meth. Police also located a loose pill, later identified as Alprazolam (Xanax), in the drivers possession. The driver now identified as Jesse McIntosh II was placed under arrest for Possession of a Controlled Substance (A Misd), Possession of Paraphernalia (C Misd) and a charge of Driving While Suspended Prior (A Misd). The charges would be sent to the Porter County Prosecutor’s Office. Jesse was transported to the Porter County Jail as well.
(Pictured is Joseph Cronin.)
