An undercover investigation by the Delaware Child Predator Task Force into the solicitation of a minor for the purpose of engaging in prohibited sex acts, resulted in the arrest of 35-year-old Joshua Rutherford of Camden-Wyoming.
In mid-February, investigators say Rutherford began a chat conversation with an undercover investigator he believed was the father of a teenage girl on an online social media network. During these chat conversations, investigators say Rutherford expressed his interest in meeting the girl for sex, and also requested nude images.
On March 10, 2016, Rutherford arranged to meet the investigator at a park in Dover the next day, according to the task force. On Friday, March 11, 2016, the Delaware Child Predator Task Force, assisted by the Delaware State Police SORT team (Special Operations Response Team) arrested Rutherford. He was charged with one count of Sexual Solicitation of a child under 18 to engage in prohibited Sexual Act, and one count of Attempted Dealing in Child Pornography.
Search warrants were executed at Rutherford’s residence and on the vehicle that he was operating. As a result of the two search warrants, detectives seized a laptop computer, an external hard drive, numerous USB thumb drives and other related evidence. Additional charges will be based upon that examination.
At the time of his arrest, Rutherford was employed as a teacher at Smyrna High School, and members of the Child Predator Task Force ask anyone with information or concerns about Rutherford to call 302-739-2030.
Rutherford was arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 2 and ordered held at the James T. Vaughn Correctional Center on a $50,000.00 secured bail.
In all cases, defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.