Internet Stalking Case Against Siloam Springs Man Hits Roadblock
A Siloam Springs man, Ronald Russell, 29, faces charges of internet stalking of a child. His fate hangs in the balance as Benton County Circuit Judge Brad Karren decides whether to allow messages between Russell and an undercover detective as evidence in the case.
Russell engaged in conversations on the Whisper social networking app, thinking he was chatting with a 14-year-old girl. The conversation stopped when he discovered the detective’s true identity but resumed weeks later, ultimately leading to an arranged meeting and his arrest.
Russell’s attorney, Matt Reid, is challenging the admissibility of the messages because the detective deleted some earlier conversations. Reid argues that these messages could help prove Russells’ innocence. The detective, however, testified that he only deleted chats without any criminal activity.
During the hearing, the judge did not make a ruling on the issue, choosing to reserve his decision for a later date. Russell remains in custody, awaiting his jury trial set for September 17.
These events unfold against the backdrop of recent internet stalking cases in the area. Erika Ponce, a 40-year-old Bentonville woman, was recently sentenced to 10 years in prison for internet stalking of a child, while Jerry Riggs, a 52-year-old man from Poughkeepsie, received a 15-year sentence for similar offenses.
The judge’s ruling on the Whisper app messages could prove critical in determining the outcome of Russell’s case. Will the chats be allowed as evidence, or will the defense manage to sway the judge’s opinion? Only time will tell.
