An online child predator sting operation by the Shasta County Sheriff’s Office turned into an interstate investigation. In August a detective posing online as a 14-year-old girl began chatting with 46-year-old John Cristophe Kay of Rio Rancho, New Mexico. As the conversations progressed, Kay reportedly convinced the decoy to fly to New Mexico, saying he would pay for her plane ticket and pay her more for sexual favors. Detectives say Kay came up with a plan to contact the girl’s guardian and say that he had a daughter who had befriended the girl and ask for permission for her to come visit the fictitious daughter. Arrangements were made and detectives flew to the Albuquerque airport on Monday. When Kay arrived at the airport at the pre-arranged time on Tuesday he was met by the detectives from Shasta County along with Albuquerque and Rio Rancho Police. He was arrested and electronics were seized during a search of his home. Kay is being held on $1.2 Million bail as he awaits extradition to Shasta County.
-Steve Gibson