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Suspected Internet predator arraigned --- 30-year old Farmington Hills man held on $100,000 cash bond

The 30-year old Farmington Hills man arrested Thursday night by Wayne County Sheriff’s Deputies, after a series of explicit online chats with an officer posing as a 13-year old girl, was arraigned today at 36th District Court, according to Sheriff Warren Evans.

The suspect, Scott Sellinger, was charged with communicating with another on the Internet with intent to commit a crime. Sellinger is being held at the Wayne County jail on $100,000 cash bond and has been required to turn over his passport to authorities to avoid a flight risk. If convicted, Sellinger could face at least 15 years in prison.

Sellinger was arrested Thursday evening outside Buddy’s Pizza on Michigan Avenue in Dearborn after telling the undercover officer during an online chat that he wished to meet the minor and take her to a hotel to have sex. The arrest came only 10 days after Evans reactivated the Internet Crimes Unit, which had been disbanded late last year by the previous administration.

After his arrest, deputies executed a search warrant on Sellinger’s suburban condo, where the computer equipment officers believe was used for the chats was seized.

Evans said he was pleased that his new Internet unit was able to make an arrest so quickly.

“The fact that we were able to find a potential sexual predator so soon is encouraging, but it is also a chilling reminder of how prevalent this kind of behavior has become,” said Evans. “It should serve as a reminder to parents to make sure they protecting their children by monitoring their online activities.”

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