SOUTHINGTON — A man turned himself in after he tried meeting with a minor through an online dating site.
The former middle school custodian has been charged with attempting to meet who he thought was a 14-year-old boy.
Police say Carl Bezo, 50, of Westfield, Massachusetts, had an outstanding warrant for his arrest following the incident.
The minor, who Bezo met on an online dating site, was actually an adult from POP squad, a group in Connecticut aimed at protecting children from online predators.
Bezo didn’t realize they were an adult, and kept talking with who he thought was a minor, sending text messages.
Bezo and the “minor” agreed to meet up at a Southington Walmart store in September.
When Bezo showed up, she was met by POP Squad and their interaction was recorded.
Evidence obtained through the chat logs, and video between Bezo and the “minor” (POP Squad) were turned over to police for investigation. Bezo was fired from his job at a Westfield middle school after the meeting.
Bezo’s lawyer says his client has no criminal record and was cooperative with police.
Bezo is held on a $100,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in Bristol Court.
