Fortuna police arrest suspected sexual predator

FORTUNA, CA. – A Fortuna man is arrested for inappropriate exchanges with a child.

29-year-old Richard Leon Nelson was trying to arrange a meeting with the 14-year-old girl through texts and social media, after sending her explicit content.

The child’s friend told their mother, who advised Fortuna police of Nelson’s behavior.

Officers began monitoring the conversations, and discovered Nelson and the child had made plans to meet near the 2300 block of School Street.

Just before 11PM Thursday, Fortuna police were waiting at the location when Nelson arrived.

Nelson was taken into custody and booked on charges of sending sexually explicit matter to a minor, and arranging to meet with a minor with purpose of engaging in lewd behavior.

Nelson’s bail was set at $60,000.

Chief Bill Dobberstein urges parents to monitor their children’s internet activities, and keep a close eye on their social media accounts.