Mayfield Heights Man Is Accused Of Trying To Pay Teenager For Sex

Michael Paster, 37, of Mayfield Heights, is accused of trying to buy sex from someone who he thought was a 15-year-old girl.

Paster was arrested after an investigation by the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor's Office, Mayfield Heights Police, U.S. Secret Service and the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force.

Paster was arrested after traveling to the Cleveland area for a meet-up with the girl, according to the prosecutor's office. Instead, he was met by law-enforcement officials.

Prior to traveling, Paster indicated that he would pay $100 for the sexual activity.

Paster has been charged with two counts of importuning and one count each of compelling prostitution, attempted unlawful sexual conduct with a minor and possessing criminal tools.

He is scheduled to be arraigned in Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas on May 3.

By coincidence, April is Child Abuse Prevention Month.

The Northeast Ohio ICAC Task Force was created in 1999 to combat the rise of Internet crime against children.

In 2003, the US Department of Justice provided additional funding for the Task Force to expand statewide.

Today, with members located in each of Ohio’s 88 counties, Ohio ICAC now has 326 law enforcement partner agencies across Ohio: 181 Police Departments, 73 County Sheriffs, 61 County Prosecutors, and 11 other agencies that include the FBI, US Treasury, US Attorney General, Ohio Attorney General, Metropark Rangers and the US Marshals.