On Monday night, Johnny McNeal, 48, was taken into custody by the Grundy County Sheriff’s Office with assistance from the Tracy City Police Department and Constable Kyle Collins.
During an investigation conducted by the Sheriff’s Criminal Investigation Unit, McNeal engaged in sexually explicit conversations and attempted to solicit sexual acts from someone he believed to be a juvenile. He agreed to meet the individual in Tracy City, where he was expecting a minor, but instead encountered Detective Avery McGinness, who was working undercover as part of the operation.
When McNeal opened the door to what he believed was a teenage girl, he got an unexpected surprise. After resisting arrest, McNeal was tased for compliance and taken into custody by deputies at the scene. The only thing found on his person was an unused condom, confirming his intentions.
During the investigation, McNeal used an encrypted mobile app to attempt to hide the conversation. He was also using a fake name during this investigation on his profile. This is a reminder to parents—know what apps your children are using, who they’re talking to, and what’s happening on their devices.
Special thanks to Tracy City Police and Constable Collins for their support in keeping the community safe.
