A 49-year-old Centralia man has been charged with alleged grooming and indecent solicitation of a child after allegedly asking what he believed to be a 14-year-old boy to commit a sex act with him.
But Kent Gabriel of East Second was actually talking to a member of Predator Poachers on an app used to meet people. After Gabriel allegedly had explicit conversation with the person he believed to be the 14-year-old, he allegedly invited the person to meet at his home.
When Predator Poachers arrived at the home on Tuesday, they contacted Centralia Police who made the arrest.
Gabriel was denied bond on Wednesday after Judge Wes Gozia found he posed a real and present threat to the safety of the community due to soliciting sexual relations for a person he thought was a minor child.
The public defender was appointed to represent him. Gabriel is due back in court on November 10th for a first appearance with attorney and a preliminary hearing.
