On Sunday, the San Mateo Police Department announced the arrest of a Pleasant Hill man after allegedly targeting a minor.
According to police, on Sunday morning, representatives of an organization aimed at catching child predators by acting as minor decoys who solicit potential offenders, notified the San Mateo Police Department that they had been engaging with a male subject for the purpose of sexual activity. Plans between the suspect and the decoy were solidified and they agreed to meet at a location here in San Mateo. Using the suspect’s phone number and open-source data, the organization was able to provide identifying information on the subject to our department. Using the information they had gathered, they determined the suspect was James Carey and were able to locate a vehicle registered to him. Utilizing our automated license plate reader (ALPR) database we were able to determine Carey was in fact enroute to San Mateo from the East Bay and they were able to trace his whereabouts as he approached the meet up location. Once there, police were able to locate his vehicle while he continued inside. Earlier, Carey had sent a picture of himself to the decoy, so they were able to use that to further confirm his identity.
Shortly after 1:00 pm, Carey arrived at the agreed upon location and the decoy identified him while SMPD officers moved in for the arrest. Carey was taken into custody without incident. It should be noted that Carey is a 290PC Sex Registrant with a prior conviction. He was interviewed and then transported and booked into the San Mateo County Jail on the charges below.
While impassioned by their cause, this organization, who wish to remain anonymous, has taken it upon themselves to catch nefarious evildoers in the act. However, we do not encourage anyone to ever put themselves in harms way to catch a criminal. We appreciate the communication with our department and are glad we were able to bring this incident to a successful closure without real harm inflicted on a real child.
If you recognize you need help due to sexual abuse tendencies or have been a victim of sexual abuse, find resources at
ARRESTED:
- James Carey, age 43, Pleasant Hill resident
- CHARGES: 288.4(a)(2) PC – Arrange a meeting with a minor for lewd purposes w/prior, 288.3a PC – Contact a minor for the intent of committing a serious felony, 288.4(b) PC – Meeting with the intent to engage in lewd or lascivious acts with a minor
Information provided by San Mateo Police Department
