Tempe police arrested a 53-year-old Mesa man Thursday for allegedly attempting to solicit sex with children online.
At about noon, police arrested Joseph Badaracco in the area of Rural and Guadalupe roads.
The arrest marked the first arrest for the Tempe Police Department's new Internet Crimes against Children Unit (ICAC).
Investigators said Badaracco engaged in several online chats with a person he believed to be a juvenile.
Police said he solicited sex acts and eventually planned an in-person meeting in Tempe.
Badaracco arrived at the pre-arranged meeting place and was taken into custody without incident.
Shortly after the suspect's arrest, police searched his Mesa home where officers obtained items believed to be related to the investigation.
Badaracco was charged with 5 counts of luring a minor for sexual exploitation, a class three felony.
Tempe Media Relations Sgt. Steve Carbajal said it's important that parents monitor their children's Internet activities to prevent them from becoming victims of online predators.
