FRPD sting operation nets charges of solicitation of minors for sexual purposes against 22-year-old Bowling Green man

On Thursday, September 22, 2022, Front Royal Police detectives initiated an investigation regarding the solicitation of minors in the Warren County/Front Royal area. Detectives started a proactive approach to apprehend individuals soliciting underage victims for sexual purposes. An undercover operation ensued, and an adult male began soliciting one of our detectives who he believed to be a female under the age of 15 years old for photographs and sexually explicit material. The adult male suspect sent sexually explicit materials to the detective who was posing in an undercover capacity as a juvenile. The initial conversation was unsolicited and started by the offender in this case.

Through the course of this investigation, police identified the suspect as 22-year-old Bowling Green, Virginia resident, Scott M. Cousins, Jr. On October 12, 2022, a search warrant was executed on Cousin’s home, and he was apprehended for the offenses listed below. Cousins was arrested and transported to the Pamunkey Regional Jail. Cousins went before the magistrate and was ordered to be held without bond. Court date for the listed offenses has been set for November 3, 2022, at 09:00 a.m. in Warren County Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court. The Front Royal Police Department would like to thank the Caroline County Sheriff’s Office for their assistance in this case and the successful apprehension of this individual.

Scott M. Cousins Jr. / Photo: Pamunkey Regional Jail

The Front Royal Police Department is an active member of the Northern Virginia/DC Metro (NOVA/DC) Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force, which is coordinated by the Virginia State Police. We request anyone with information regarding the solicitation or exploitation of any minor to contact Front Royal Police Department. Anyone with further information regarding this case please contact Detective M.R. Ramey at (540) 636-2208 or by email at mramey@frontroyalva.com.