Man from U.K. arrested in case of child sex as he attempts to re-enter the U.S.
Case 15-6119
Gareth Vincent Hall, age 22, who resides in the United Kingdom, was arrested on Saturday, May 2, at Chicago O’Hare Airport, as a result of an investigation by Eugene Police Violent Crimes Unit. Hall was apprehended as he attempted to re-enter the U.S. on a commercial airline.
Hall was charged with three counts of Rape in the First Degree, two counts of Sodomy in the First Degree, and one count of Kidnapping in the First Degree after he met the 10-year-old female victim, of Eugene, in an online mobile chat program two months ago. After communicating for a substantial period of time, the suspect flew to the United States from the U.K., and had sexual relations with the girl in Eugene. He left after that and it was when he was trying to return to the U.S. that he was arrested.
EPD is continuing the investigate the full range and scope of the suspect’s activities. If anyone has information they are asked to contact Eugene Police Detective Jeff Donaca at 541.682.5193 and reference case 15-06119. At this time, we don’t believe there are any other victims in the local area.
Detectives say this is an important reminder to parents to be aware of their children’s online and mobile phone activities, and actively monitor them. The National Crime Prevention Council has a variety of tips, including some on Internet Safety http://www.ncpc.org/topics/internet-safety
and Social Media/Networking safety: http://www.ncpc.org/topics/internet-safety/social-networking-safety
###