Norwich, Conn. —
A Norwich Superior Court judge this afternoon ordered a New Jersey man held on $250,000 bond on charges he attempted to meet with a Montville police officer posing on the Internet as a 15-year-old female.
Mervin R. Laparre III, of 82 Cliffwood Ave., N.J., was arrested Thursday when police said he arrived at a prearranged location in Montville to meet the undercover officer. Through the Internet and text messages, police said Laparre was “attempting to engage in sexual relations,” with the undercover officer who posed as a 15-year-old on a MySpace page.
He is charged with criminal attempt to commit both risk of injury to a minor and enticing a minor by computer.
A bail commissioner said Friday that Laparre lives in New Jersey with his wife, but spends the week working for his father in Connecticut. Court records list his place of work as Electro Mechanical Specialists, LLC of Norwich and a family contact in Preston.
His parents were present in court for his arraignment.
Judge Robert Young said that should Laparre post bail, he is not to have access to the Internet or a phone that has photo or text messaging capability. Laparre, who posted bail Friday afternoon, is due back in court on June 24.
Police said the investigation began on May 28 and involved state police Eastern District Major Crime Unit from Troop E in Montville, Montville Resident Trooper’s Office and Montville police department.
Further information about the investigation was not available. Young ordered the arrest warrant affidavit sealed at the request of prosecutor Thomas Griffin. Griffin said there was an ongoing police investigation.
Attorney Paul Chinigo, who represented Laparre during his court appearance Friday, declined comment.