Child Predator Nabbed In Santa Monica Sting, Police Say

SANTA MONICA, CA — An online sting operation located a child predator suspect in Santa Monica, according to the Santa Monica Police Department.

A child predator catcher Youtube channel called CC Unit had been chatting online with a man since March, posing as a fictitious 14-year-old girl, Lt. Rudy Flores of the Santa Monica Police Department told Patch.

Fernando Dominguez, 30, of Los Angeles, was arrested on suspicion of contacting a minor for a sexual offense and meeting a minor for lewd purposes. He was charged with these acts by the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office on Dec. 7. His bail is set at $80,000. His next court date will be Dec. 21 at LAX Superior Court.

Dominguez is accused of describing how he wanted to commit sexual acts in online chats and agreed to meet on Dec. 5 with the “14-year-old female” at the Santa Monica Place Mall.

"The CC Unit livestreamed the confrontation with the suspect on their Youtube channel and viewers contacted SMPD," Flores said.

As CC Unit interviewed the suspect, he walked away and officers detained him at 4th Street and Colorado Avenue, Flores said. The two witnesses with CC unit provided the online chat log and Youtube link to officers.

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