Attorney For Suspect Nabbed In Sting Expresses Concern About Charge

The attorney for a Fairbury man that was caught up in an amateur “predator sting” expressed “deep concern” when he and his client appeared in court last week.Donald D. Boomgaarn Jr., age 25, was arraigned in Jefferson County Court on Wednesday, November 6, 2024. He appeared via webcam from the Jefferson County Jail. Linda Bauer was the presiding judge.Boomgaarn is charged with attempted child enticement, a class 2 felony punishable by one to 50 years in prison. According to the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, on October 16, the Jefferson County Dispatch received a call from a Houston-based vigilante organization called Predator Poachers Southeast Texas that conducts sting operations on adults who seek sexual activities with minors.Dispatch was advised that they just conducted a sting operation in the City Park in Fairbury and had an individual that they met there that was seeking to meet with a minor.According to the Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to the city park and made contact with the organization and the alleged suspect, who was detained by deputies.All evidence that the organization had was turned over to the sheriff’s office, which initiated their own investigation into the matter. Predator Poachers posted a video of their interaction with Boomgaarn and deputies online.County Attorney Joseph Casson explained the charge in an email to FJN, “Boomgaarn was arrested for attempted solicitation by electronic communication device. While the decoy was not a peace officer, the allegation would be that Boomgaarn did intentionally engage in conduct which would constitute the crime if the attendant circumstances were as he believed them to be.”The defendant is represented by attorney Paul Payne, who told the court, “I have some very deep concerns as to the charge.”A bond was set in the amount of $40,000.00 (10 percent). Payne requested a bond reduction, noting that his client had no prior failures to appear for court and was not a flight risk. Casson opposed any reduction.Judge Bauer agreed to reduce the bond to $25,000.The bond has a condition that “No Contact with any minors less than 16 years of age.” Payne noted this would be a problem for his client as it would not allow him to return home. The judge agreed to amend the bond condition to prohibit any contact with minors under 26 years of age that are not related to him.Boomgaarn was later released after posting bond.

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