Covert sting places man behind bars
After a two day investigation, 25 year-old Samuel Sexton was arrested during a campus operative at the UC Apartments
Derick Jones
Issue date: 3/4/10 Section: News
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Samuel Sexton, 25, of Heflin, was charged with seven counts of unauthorized entry of an inhabited dwelling.
Sexton, who police said was posing as a maintenance worker, entered the complex Thursday evening and made contact with several residents. Sexton began "conducting" a seemingly-routine plumbing check by knocking on resident's doors "asking about leaky faucets," explained Sharon Manson, director of housing.
Manson received the phone call Thursday night from resident assistant Torey Kennedy who began receiving text messages from other residents in the complex, including fellow assistant Bradley Inniss.
"When I opened my door I knew something was up," said Inniss, senior, community health. "I didn't recognize him as one of our maintenance men. We do our best to inform ourselves and our residents who our staff is here, but it's our resident's job to take on that information."
It was then that Manson decided to contact the campus police and report the incident.
"These are real world people that are looking to intrude," said Manson.
Flyers were then issued that night to all residents in accordance with apartment safety. Key items were listed including multiple contact numbers, information on both maintenance employees and safety reminders.
"I urge that all residents take safety seriously. I'm not saying be paranoid, I'm just saying be aware. Lock your apartments and lock your cars; don't make it easy for intruders," said Manson.
Later in the evening, another student came forward and reported that after giving her phone number to Sexton he began text messaging her throughout the evening asking personal questions.
The sting operation was then placed in affect for Friday afternoon in which said resident attempted contact with Sexton in hope to arrange a meeting at her apartment. After Sexton made re-contact with the student, LSUS police arrested him.
"Residents should familiarize themselves with their surroundings - not only the environment but the people who are a part of it," said Rebecca Chiles, LSUS police chief and arresting officer on duty. "This could happen anywhere to anybody. It's important to verify identification,"
Sexton was transported to the Caddo Parish jail, where he is being held in lieu of $70,000 bail.
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