A West Hartford man is accused of trying to sexually entice on the messenger app called Yik Yak, police said.
Scott Backer attempted to meet with a minor at a Walmart in Cromwell after enticing the apparently 15-year-old for sex on the popular messaging app, according to a complaint reported to police in February.
The minor Backer was chatting with was actually an adult man posing as a 15-year-old girl on the app.
The man confronted Backer on Jan. 12 at the Walmart and started asking him questions, like why he was there to have sex with a teenager. The meeting was video recorded, West Hartford Police said.
The video was uploaded to website called, POP Squad, which claims to protect children by exposing online predators.
Evidence was collected and Backer was arrested on Monday.
Another video featured on POP Squad prompted an investigation into a Plainville High School teacher. The teacher has not been charged but has resigned.
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Police are concerned about the potential danger with these types of encounters.
“If they think they’re seeing any type of predator online that maybe preying on kids to notify your local police department immediately. Don’t take these measures into your own hands,” Sgt. Tony Anderle, West Hartford Police, said.
While no child was actually involved in the West Hartford case, police said it still serves as a reminder of who might be out there and for parents to know what their kids are doing online.
“See who they’re talking to, see what conversations are going on, and what kind of apps they might be utilizing,” Anderle said.
Backer has been charged with use of computer to entice a minor to engage in sexual activity. His bond was set at $150,000.
