Walkerton man arrested for child solicitation

On Sunday at about 1:45 a.m., the Plymouth Police Department was notified that an individual driving north on North Michigan Street had attempted to meet up with a 13-year-old male at the Skylane Apartments.

Officer Witkowski located the suspect's vehicle and detained him near Hoham Drive and Michigan Street while an investigation was conducted. The suspect did have a Glock 19 in the vehicle with him, and the officer secured the weapon. A man from the Big Country Predator Exposure Program produced evidence detailing graphic text messages and phone calls between Larry Charlton Jr., 42, of Walkerton, and the 13-year-old male he thought he was communicating with.

Court documents show that Charlton then traveled to a location in Plymouth under the assumption that the 13-year-old would be waiting for him. During the communications, the decoy mentioned several times that he was 13, and Charlton appears unconcerned about his age.

When Charlton arrived at the apartment, he was met by a member of the Big Country Predator Exposure Program and left the area. The program member followed him and called the police.

Larry E. Charlton Jr. was arrested and booked into the Marshall County Jail for child solicitation at 2:45 a.m. His cash bond was set at $3,000, and it was paid at 6:24 a.m. and he was released.

Readers are reminded that charging information supported by an affidavit of probable cause is merely an allegation that a crime has been committed and that there is only probable cause to believe a crime has been committed. They are presumed innocent throughout the proceedings, are entitled to representation by counsel, and have the right to a jury trial, at which the State is obligated to provide proof beyond a reasonable doubt before a judgment of guilt can be made.