Man Charged With Soliciting Minor In Churchville, Sheriff Says

BEL AIR, MD — Investigators in Harford County have charged a 29-year-old man with solicitation of a minor. Officials allege he tried to arrange sexual contact with someone he thought was a 14-year-old girl; it actually turned out to be an account belonging to undercover law enforcement.

Timothy Craig, 29, of the 500 block of Pearl Street in Rising Sun, was charged with one count of soliciting a minor and was released on $5,000 bond, court records show.

Craig was arrested when he arrived behind a movie theater in Churchville to meet someone he thought was a 14-year-old girl on Thursday, July 12, according to the Harford County Sheriff's Office.

Instead, officials said Craig was greeted by Harford County deputies from the warrant apprehension unit, Harford County Child Advocacy Center members, a trooper from Maryland State Police and Homeland Security Investigations special agents. The Harford County Child Advocacy Center, which is coordinating the investigation, is the go-to agency regarding child abuse in Harford County and includes law enforcement, prosecutors and social services as part of its multidisciplinary team.

At the time of Craig's arrest, authorities said they recovered evidence his vehicle and person, including electronics.

Craig is slated to appear in Harford County District Court for the charge on Sept. 12.

Photo of Timothy Craig courtesy of the Harford County Child Advocacy Center via the Harford County Sheriff's Office.