Police: Man sought teen for sex
Robert C. Walsh III of Lynn during his arraignment in Attleboro District Court Friday. (Staff photo by Mike George)
Robert C. Walsh III, 31, a bartender at Maddie's Sail Loft in Marblehead, allegedly tried to lure the girl out of her home to engage in sex with her before the girl told her mother, who then went to police, authorities said Friday.
After sending the girl an instant message on June 2, "there were several inappropriate conversations that took place over the next three or four days," Detective Todd Bramwell said during a bail hearing in Attleboro District Court.
Walsh asked the girl for sex and "tried to lure her from her home and tried to meet her in different locations," Bramwell said.
After the mother reported the incidents to police, investigators took over the Internet communication from the girl's computer before obtaining an arrest warrant for Walsh and a search warrant for his home.
Robert C Walsh III of Lynn, is arraigned in
Attleboro District Court Friday for child enticement. Walsh, right,
faces the judge. Left is his attorney Paul Whelan. (Staff photo by Mike
George)
Walsh, who has a criminal record but without sex crimes, pleaded
innocent to enticement of a child under 16, a felony punishable by up to
five years in prison.He was ordered held in jail until Monday, when he was expected to be released on $10,000 cash bail on home confinement with a series of conditions and monitoring with an electronic bracelet.
Judge Robert E. Baylor agreed to release on bail but not before court officials in Lynn can hook up Walsh with the electronic device.
Upon his release, Walsh will be prohibited from using a computer or the Internet. He was also ordered to have no contact with the victim or children younger than 17. He cannot drink alcoholic beverages and must undergo random alcohol tests and random visits from probation officials.
Bramwell, who was the lead investigator on the case, said that when police went to Walsh's home in Lynn, his parents told police he was not home.
Police seized the computers in the home, then found a wire leading from a first-floor window to a garage. Following the wire, they found Walsh in one of two offices in the rear of the garage. But the defendant's mother, Carolyn Walsh, who was in court with other family members, said that was untrue.
"I never told them he was not home. I told them where he worked. I didn't know if he was home or not. They are lying," she said.
Carolyn Walsh said the arraignment was the first she heard of the allegations against her son.
"He's my son. I love him and I don't know anything more, other than what I heard and you heard," she told a Sun Chronicle reporter.
Bramwell alleged that Walsh sent the girl an e-mail photo of himself, and that the girl spoke on the telephone with a man who said he was "Clay." Walsh's middle name is Clay.
The girl did not agree to meet with Walsh, and she did the right thing by telling her mother, Bramwell said.
"Parents should know there are dangers out there and they should be aware of what their children are doing on the Internet," Bramwell said.
The computers seized by police will be examined by experts with the Metropolitan Law Enforcement Council computer crimes unit.
Assisting Bramwell in the investigation were detectives Sgt. Thomas Peterson and Stephen Desfosses. They were assisted by members of the Metropolitan Enforcement Council computer crimes unit and the Bristol County District Attorney's Office.
Wow! And he seems like a great kid!
ReplyDeleteWell, he obviously wasn't convicted or he would be making license plates instead of running for city council unless being with other politicians is like a support group.
ReplyDeleteI know another person who faced the same charge and didn't do jail time. If the police were involved, he had to of said she knew she was 13!?
ReplyDeleteIt's scary being young.
ReplyDeleteIt's not good when the Police take your computers. They seemed to have a record of "text" conversation. As far as no jail time, that's why lawyers get paid good money, more than teachers or babysitters.
ReplyDeleteAccording to the article, he was convicted. Home confinement with a bracelet, monitoring and probation.
ReplyDeleteI spoke to Clay about this and he explained the charges were all dropped and no action was taken as he never meet the girl and didn't know her age while communicating online. It is terrible to put up a story like this online without first investigating. I worked for a police station for 5 years - many people arrested are found innocent later but the retraction never makes the newspapers. Innocent until proven guilty!!!! People are so quick to always jump to conclusions - this is people's lives you are discussing. All these 'anonymous' posting comments - how old or who are they?
ReplyDeleteMary Ellen, I clearly indicated in my comments that it appeared there was no conviction. As far as discussing peoples lives. Clay is asking us to trust him to spend the city's money, half of which goes to our schools. How many young lives are we "discussing" there. Prior arrests are fair game. It's not like I am breaking news, the story was previously covered around 3 years ago. I invite Clay to contact me and I will give him fair coverage. I stand by earlier compliments regarding his awareness that the council should be involved in the schools. BUT IN SCHOOL, HISTORY IS IMPORTANT.
ReplyDeleteStanley is not doing wrong to ask a qustion. This is confusing. If he received probation. I don't judge if he didn't know her age, and some cops do arrest innocent people. Hearing Clay's words would be nice if he would kindly comment here.
ReplyDeleteStanley is not wrong at all for asking questions, or reposting this article. A police record is fair game especially when you are dealing with someone who holds/want to hold a public office. As a society we don't ask enough questions, we've become complacent, we don't hold our leaders accountable.
ReplyDeleteKeep bringing us the news Stanley!
Why not ask the question! Employers ask when hiring.
ReplyDeleteOk. So the guy running for some sort of office is the man who was accused of this crime? Please say this is not true.
ReplyDeleteClay Walsh was not convicted. He was confined to house arrest during the trial. Please do some research before stirring up the lynch mob.
ReplyDeleteDo you think he would run for a bigger seat last year and this not be found. Because he was found innocent.
ReplyDeleteWOW. he is running for an office. He sure has some explaining to do doesn't he? Innocent or not I would just move to another state and start a new life. It amazes me that he would be running for an office and not out of the state.
ReplyDeleteIs this story 100% made up?
Only in Lynn.
OMG Mary. Do you ever watch to Catch a Predator? None of them knew the age of their victims and it was their first time.
ReplyDeleteCharges were dropped. 101 reasons why. Lost paper work, a good lawyer. OMG. This is news there Mr. Stan!
ReplyDeleteSmile :). Your on candid camera!
ReplyDeleteThis is humbling
Alls I know is Clay is better than Buzzy!
ReplyDeleteIt is clear that they had enough to catch him via his computer or the police would NOT have arrested him and he would not have been placed on house arrest by a JUDGE at the arraignment. It was serious enough for a JUDGE to determine that he was a serious threat to our society. Also, to clear up the legal system.....you need to also have a victim/witness who is willing and able to come forward in order to testify to the charges. I would have to think that the poor 13 yr old girls parents and herself did not want her to have to tesify in an open court room to the crimes alleged.....so hence, the dropped case! So, house arrest for a year with a monitoring bracelet is very serious! Also, I have been made aware that he (CLAY WALSH) has been contacting young girls on the computer at night via facebook etc.....HE HAS A PROBLEM and needs to be stopped! Stop being SO LIBERAL.....people like him do not stop until they get what they want!
ReplyDeleteNOT MY CHILD!
THANK YOU STANLEY.
keep them coming!
ONE CONCERNED LYNN CITIZEN......