BARTON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a man for alleged crimes involving a teenager.
Just after 1p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 1 at approximately 1 p.m., members of the Great Bend Police Department were contacted by the social media group MotorCity Justice in reference to a tip regarding a Great Bend man soliciting sex from a 15-year-old child, according to police.
After 5 p.m., the suspect later identified as Tommy Hopkins, 54, Great Bend, communicated through a chat log, planning to meet the girl at Walmart in Great Bend.
Members of the Great Bend Police Department staged in the area until Hopkins arrived at the store and went inside to meet her.
Police took Hopkins to a secure office near the front of the store and arrested him on requested charges of sexual exploitation of a child, indecent solicitation of a child, and electronic solicitation. Hopkins is being held on $1,000,000 bond.
Police also executed a search warrant at Hopkins' residence in Great Bend. They found and seized additional electronic evidence in connection with this case.
Officer located a minor child of Hopkins who was staying with family at the time of this incident. Police removed the child from the home and released the child to Juvenile Services.