The RNC have made an arrest in connection with a reported sexual assault against a young person, and the incident appears to share striking similarities to the MO used in another series of alleged incidents now under investigation.
Police received a report of suspicious activity and a potential sexual assault against a young person back in November.
Following information obtained through warrants, police arrested 32-year-old Stephen Morrissey of Paradise on Tuesday.
Morrissey. who police believe had been using an alias online, is charged with sexual assault and sexual interference. Investigators believe Morrissey had been using the alias Elijah Mooner on social media apps, and are seeking information from the public related to any interactions with that profile.
It’s the second such case involving social media alias’ in the commission of alleged sex crimes to come to the fore in recent days. Thirty-two-year-old teacher and volleyball coach Markus Hicks of Paradise is facing 63 charges in connection with an ongoing investigation linked to at least five fake social media accounts.
RNC Constable James Cadigan says the Morrissey and Hicks investigations do not appear to be linked.
Cadigan says the two cases do bring to light the importance of discussing social media safety with young people.