🚨 MAN ARRESTED ONLINE PREDATOR INTERVENTION‼️

FERGUSON, MISSOURI — A 40-year-old Ferguson man, identified in a public report as Brandon Ray Ramsey, was arrested following an online predator intervention in which authorities say that he traveled to meet an individual he believed to be a 13-year-old child.

The record identifies Ramsey with a booking date of September 6, 2026 at 4:22 AM.

Charges listed:

1. Indecent Solicitation of a Child — Internet

720 ILCS 5/11-6(a-5)

- Illinois law describes this provision as discussing sexual conduct or sexual penetration with a child, or someone believed to be a child, through the Internet with the specified criminal intent.

2. Traveling to Meet a Minor/Child

720 ILCS 5/11-26(a)

- Illinois law makes it an offense to travel, attempt to travel, or cause another to travel for the specified unlawful sexual purpose after online solicitation/luring of a child or someone believed to be a child. It is classified as a Class 3 felony.

3. Grooming

720 ILCS 5/11-25(a)

- Illinois defines grooming to include knowingly using online services or other conduct to seduce, solicit, lure, or entice a child or someone believed to be a child toward specified unlawful sexual conduct. Under the current statute, grooming is a Class 4 felony.

4. Armed Violence / Category I

720 ILCS 5/33A-2(a)

- Illinois law defines armed violence as committing a qualifying felony while armed with a dangerous weapon.

5. Unlicensed

625 ILCS 5/6-101

- This provision requires a person driving a motor vehicle on an Illinois highway to have a valid license or qualifying permit.

6. Solicitation to Meet a Child — 5 Years or Older

720 ILCS 5/11-6.6(a)

- Illinois law addresses using a computer, cellphone, or other device to solicit, entice, induce, or arrange to meet a child or someone believed to be a child without the parent’s/guardian’s knowledge for a non-lawful purpose. When the solicitor believes he is at least five years older than the child, the offense is a Class 4 felony.

The case has drawn attention because the reported intervention involved an adult traveling to meet someone he believed was a minor.

The combination of charges illustrates why online child-safety investigations can extend beyond inappropriate online communication.

When an investigation results in an attempt to arrange an in-person meeting, authorities may also examine conduct involving weapons and an individual’s prior felony status.

For parents and caregivers, the message is simple:

Online safety is child safety.

Children need adults who understand the platforms they use, recognize warning signs, encourage open communication, and know how to report concerning behavior.

The Danger Can Begin Behind a Screen.

Children increasingly have access to social media, messaging applications, gaming platforms and other online spaces where adults and children can interact.

Predators may use false identities, manipulation, secrecy and seemingly innocent conversations to gain a child’s trust.

What may begin as a conversation online can potentially progress into an attempt to arrange an in-person meeting.

That is why parents, caregivers, educators, law enforcement and community organizations must remain vigilant.

We cannot wait until a child is harmed to take online exploitation seriously.

Parents should know:

* Who their children are communicating with online.

* Which applications and platforms their children are using.

* Whether strangers are attempting to communicate with them.

* Whether someone is asking them to keep conversations secret.

* Whether an online contact is requesting photographs, videos or personal information.

* Whether someone is attempting to arrange an in-person meeting.

* How to preserve evidence and report suspicious online behavior.

Our concern is a HUGE issue:

How do we create safer environments for children before exploitation occurs?

Cases involving online predators demonstrate why prevention, awareness and responsible intervention matter.

Protecting Children Requires All of Us

We also recognize that protecting children cannot rest solely on law enforcement.

It requires parents who ask questions.

It requires adults who listen when children speak.

It requires schools and organizations that teach children about boundaries and online safety.

It requires technology platforms to take child exploitation seriously.

And it requires communities willing to speak up when something doesn’t look right.

Every child deserves to be protected—online and offline.

We will continue using our voice to raise awareness because silence does not protect children.