Augusta man nabbed
in Internet sex sting

Copyright © 2006 Blethen Maine Newspapers Inc.

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AUGUSTA -- An Augusta man is among two people being charged with using the Internet to solicit sex with a minor.

Michael Dow, 39, of Augusta was arrested following a monthlong investigation in which representatives of "Perverted Justice" -- an Internet sex sting group -- posed as a 13-year-old, with whom the two men were supposed to meet.

Dow and a man from Biddeford allegedly participated in sexually explicit Internet chats with a person they believed to be a 13-year-old female from South Portland, police said. South Portland police Friday issued a warrant for Dow, charging him with solicitation of child by computer to commit a prohibited act. He was arrested by detectives in Augusta later that day at his home.

Dow, a computer programmer at the University of Maine at Augusta, was released on bail.

Sheri Stevens, executive director of administrative services at UMA, said Dow has been placed on administrative leave.

"We were made aware last week of the investigation and have been cooperating with police," Stevens said. "We are also aware that last week he was arrested."

Detective Sgt. Steven Webster of the South Portland Police Department said Dow was charged with a misdemeanor because he did not take "the substantial step" to actually meet the person posing as a 13-year-old.

"I am not saying that would not have happened in the future," Webster said.

Webster also said Dow was not using a personal computer to talk to the bogus 13-year-old. Because of concerns about students arriving back to school, the investigation was sped up.

Perverted Justice is a Web site of adult contributors who enter regional chat rooms posing as underage kids. If solicited for sex by adults, they work with police to prosecute and convict them.

Police also arrested Brian Cadorette, 24, of Biddeford at the Maine Mall on Saturday, after he arrived to meet the same bogus 13-year-old in the Dow case. Cadorette was charged with attempted gross sexual assault and his bail was set at $250 cash bail with several bail conditions.