Elkhart Man Facing Child Solicitation ChargeAn Elkhart man was arrested for child solicitation after allegedly communicating with someone he thought was a 14-year-old girl.
Mitchell Todd Frantz, 49, Elkhart, is charged with child solicitation, a Level 5 felony.
Frantz was booked into the Kosciusko County Jail on Dec. 31 with a preliminary bond of $10,250. He has been released on bond and has an initial hearing at 11 a.m. Monday in Kosciusko Superior Court I.
According to the probable cause affidavit, on Dec. 31 a Syracuse Police Department officer responded to a complaint about an adult man soliciting a 14-year-old girl at a gas station in Syracuse.
Upon arrival, the officer spoke with a man who said he is a member of an organization called Bikers Against Predators and Frantz was at the gas station with intentions to meet and pick up a 14-year-old girl. The man also said he had copies of all the conversations between his organization and Frantz and the man said he would turn them over to law enforcement.
The officer approached Frantz who seemed nervous and upset, according to court documents. The officer asked Frantz if he knew why the officer was there and Frantz replied, “I made a very bad decision.” The officer read Frantz his Miranda rights. Frantz agreed to speak without a lawyer present.
Frantz said he had been talking with a 14-year-old girl online and was going to meet her at the gas station. He said he believed the person he was communicating with was a 14-year-old girl and admitted he believed he and the girl were going to have sex.
On Nov. 29, Frantz first made contact with the 14-year-old girl using an app with the profile name of Jason Burrus. During that conversation, Frantz was told by the girl she was 14. Frantz also asked for “some sexy pictures” from the child, according to court documents.
On Dec. 31, Frantz again initiated a conversation with the girl in regards to hooking up. Frantz asked how many times she’s had sex and for the details. He also asked other questions about her sexual experiences.
On Dec. 31, Frantz talked with the girl and agreed to meet her at the gas station in Syracuse with the intent to have sex. Conversations continued between Frantz and the girl in regards to Frantz leaving and how close he was to the gas station, according to court documents.
When Frantz arrived at the gas station, he was confronted by the man, who was livestreaming the meeting on social media, according to court documents.
