Edinburg Man Arrested in Warren County Undercover Child Solicitation Investigation

A 30-year-old Edinburg man was arrested following an undercover online child solicitation investigation conducted by the Warren County Sheriff’s Office.

According to the sheriff’s office, investigators launched a proactive undercover operation on June 19 targeting individuals using the internet to solicit minors in the Warren County and Front Royal area.

During the operation, authorities said an adult male initiated contact with an investigator posing as a juvenile female under the age of 15. Investigators allege the suspect requested photos and sexually explicit content from someone he believed was a minor and also sent obscene material during the conversation.

The suspect was identified as Tyler A. Thompson of Edinburg, Virginia. Investigators obtained two warrants charging Thompson with violations of Virginia code §18.2-374.3, use of communication systems to facilitate certain offenses involving children.

Tyler A. Thompson of Edinburg was arrested following an undercover child solicitation investigation conducted by the Warren County Sheriff’s Office. Thompson faces two counts of §18.2-374.3, Use of Communication Systems to Facilitate Certain Offenses Involving Children.

On June 20, deputies with the Shenandoah County Sheriff’s Office arrested Thompson at his residence without incident. He was transported to the Rappahannock Shenandoah Warren Regional Jail, where a magistrate ordered him held without bond.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for July 23 at 10 a.m. in Warren County Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court.

The Warren County Sheriff’s Office said it is an active member of the Northern Virginia/DC Metro Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, coordinated by the Virginia State Police. Officials said the partnership supports investigations focused on protecting children from online exploitation.

The sheriff’s office also thanked the Shenandoah County Sheriff’s Office for assisting with the arrest.

Anyone with information related to the solicitation or exploitation of minors is encouraged to contact the Warren County Sheriff’s Office or Lt. M.R. Ramey at 540-635-7100 or by email at mramey@warrencountysheriff.org.