DALE COUNTY, Ala. (WDNews) — A 38-year-old Dale County man is facing multiple charges after an undercover investigation involving someone he allegedly believed was a minor.
According to the Dale County Sheriff’s Office, Shawn Gregory Hines was arrested Wednesday, Sept. 16, after investigators said he communicated online with an undercover deputy posing as a minor.
Authorities said the conversations became sexual in nature and Hines was repeatedly told the age the undercover deputy was portraying.
Investigators said Hines later traveled from his home in Dale County to the Jack community in Coffee County, believing he was going to meet the person he had been communicating with online.
Members of the Dale County Sheriff’s Office Special Response Team took Hines into custody at the location.
According to the sheriff’s office, investigators later examined Hines’ cellphone and discovered multiple images described as child pornography. The discovery resulted in 10 additional charges.
Hines faces charges of child solicitation by computer, traveling to meet a minor for an unlawful sex act and 10 counts of possession of child pornography.
Hines was booked into the Dale County Jail on Sept. 16.
The charges are allegations. Hines is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
