Warren County Authorities Arrest Man in Online Child Solicitation Sting

A 29-year-old Front Royal man was arrested following an undercover operation targeting individuals who attempt to solicit minors online. The Warren County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division, working as part of the Northern Virginia/DC Metro Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force, led the operation.

ABUZAR YUSUF ZAI

Authorities identified Abuzar Yusuf Zai as the suspect after he engaged in multiple online conversations with an undercover investigator posing as a juvenile under the age of 15. According to the sheriff’s office, Yusuf Zai expressed intent to meet the minor for sexual purposes. Investigators arranged for him to meet who he believed to be the juvenile at a local residence on February 25, where he was taken into custody without incident.

Following his arrest, Yusuf Zai was transported to the Rappahannock Shenandoah Warren (RSW) Regional Jail. A magistrate ordered him to be held without bond. He is scheduled to appear in Warren County Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court on February 27 at 9:00 a.m.

Yusuf Zai faces multiple felony charges, including three counts of using communication systems to facilitate offenses involving children (§18.2-374.3) and one count of indecent liberties with a minor (§18.2-370).

The sheriff’s office credited the success of the operation to collaboration with local and federal law enforcement agencies, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).

Authorities urge anyone with information about the solicitation or exploitation of minors to contact the Warren County Sheriff’s Office. Investigator C.J. McDaniel can be reached at (540) 635-7100 or via email at cmcdaniel@warrencountysheriff.org.