Pike County resident charged with internet stalking of a child

In mid-August, the Pike County Sheriff’s Office was contacted by a deputy from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office in reference to a child predator that possibly lived in Pike County.

The Pike County deputy informed the Pike County Sheriff’s Office that he had been posing as a 14-year-old female online and had started receiving message from a man who was later identified as 36-year-old Gerrald Wayne Robert of Murfreesboro.

According to court records, Robert continued to communicate and even sent explicit photos even after he was told he was conversing with a minor.

The Polk County deputy informed Robert that she knew a 15-year-old girl who lived in Murfreesboro, which was in fact a Pike County deputy. A short time later, Robert began sending messages to the Pike County deputy.

Robert proceeded to tell the deputies where he lived and even sent photos of his front door and apartment complex.

Deputies and members of the Murfreesboro Police Department conducted a search warrant at Roberts apartment. After interviewing Robert, he was arrested and charged with internet stalking of a child and computer child pornography.