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Undercover investigation leads to solicitation of a minor arrest

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Eric Jerome Tindal (Source: Clarendon County Sheriff's Office) Eric Jerome Tindal (Source: Clarendon County Sheriff's Office)

CLARENDON COUNTY, SC (WIS) - An undercover investigation by the Clarendon County Sheriff's Department led to the arrest of a man charged with solicitation of a minor.

Deputies arrested Eric Jerome Tindal of Summerton Wednesday and charged him with criminal solicitation of a minor and disturbing schools.

Investigators say on Monday, Tindal went to Manning Junior High School and tried to sign out a 14-year-old female.  School officials say Tindal was not on the student's list of people authorized to sign out the student.

The school reported the incident to the Clarendon County Sheriff's Office, whose investigation determined Tindal was texting the student.  The teen told investigators she didn't know him, and thought she was texting someone named "Justin."

On Wednesday, detectives posing as the 14 -year-old exchanged texts with Tindal and arranged to meet him.  When he arrived at the meeting place, sheriff's deputies arrested him.

Investigators are looking for other possible victims in this case.  Anyone who was contacted by Tindal should call the Clarendon County Sheriff's Office.

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