A 22-year-old man from Strasburg, Sean Ballowe, has been arrested on serious charges after an undercover operation by the Warren County Sheriff’s Office. The investigation started when an officer, posing as a young teenager online, was contacted by Ballowe. Over several conversations, he allegedly tried to meet up with the fake juvenile for sexual reasons.
Ballowe was arrested on Thursday, facing two counts of using communication systems to try to engage in inappropriate activities with minors. After his arrest, he was taken to jail, where he was held on a $5,000 bond. He is scheduled to appear in court on January 30 to face the charges.
The investigation involved several local law enforcement agencies, including the Shenandoah and Rappahannock County Sheriff’s Offices, as well as Strasburg Police. The cooperation between these departments played a key role in bringing this case to a close. The Warren County Sheriff’s Office thanked everyone who helped make the operation a success.
This case is a reminder of the hard work law enforcement does behind the scenes to protect children from online dangers.
