Placer County Sex Sting Operation Nets Three Arrests

AUBURN (CBS13) -- An online sex sting has led to the arrest of three alleged predators in Placer County. As part of an ongoing program, Placer County Sheriff's detectives have been monitoring several social media sites where young kids are being targeted.

The online investigations revealed inappropriate messages from three men who thought they were chatting with a 13 year old girl. Twenty-six year old Matthew Ryan Klein of Roseville, 32 year old Samuel Clinton Thompson of Grass Valley, and 36 year old Chad Woodruff of Roseville were being monitored online. In at least one of the cases, obscene material was being sent to the so called 13 year old girl, who was actually a detective.

When the men arrived at the locations with intent to meet with this girl, they were met by detectives who took them into custody.

Klein was booked into the Placer County Jail for attempting to contact a minor for sexual purposes and sending harmful material to a minor.  Klein's bail was set at $230,000.  He has since bailed out of custody.

Thompson was arrested for numerous felonies. In addition, it was discovered that Thompson had been convicted and was on a federal pre-sentence release for possession of child pornography. He is currently being held in the Placer County Jail on several felony charges and a no-bail federal hold.

Woodruff was booked at the Placer County Jail and his bail is set at $450,000.  He remains in custody.

Placer County Sheriffs see this as a big warning to parents to educate your children on the dangers of communicating online with unknown persons. Detectives say monitor your kids' online habits and usage: know their usernames, know their passwords, know their apps, know their friends.

If you become aware of an inappropriate conversation or relationship, contact the authorities for assistance.