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Another Online Predator Arrested by Boone Police

John Edward Heelan
John Edward Heelan

On Friday Feb. 12, 2016, the Boone Police Department and the State Bureau of Investigation closed another on-going online child predator investigation. This investigation was a proactive attempt by the Boone Police Department to catch the individuals that seek to victimize our children online.

This investigation was a cooperative effort between the North Carolina and South Carolina Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. Specific agencies involved were the Boone Police Department, the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, and the Greenville County South Carolina Sheriff’s Office.

Investigators observed a suspicious ad on a popular website. Investigators noticed an ad with a vulgar title and feared the ad could be a predator looking for children online. A Boone Police Detective posed as a 14-year-old girl in Boone and responded to this ad.

The poster interacted with the undercover investigator and despite being led to believe that he was interacting with a 14-year-old girl, he arranged a meeting in Boone for sexual purposes. When officers saw the suspect travel to the meeting location on the arranged date and time, they approached him and conducted an interview. This interview led to the suspect’s arrest. A search of the suspect’s vehicle led to the seizure of multiple items of evidence that further indicated the suspect was there for sexual purposes.

This investigation has led the Boone Police Department to charge John Edward Heelan with felony violations. Heelan was arrested and taken before Magistrate Gales. Probable cause for the arrest was found and Heelan was then turned over to the staff at the Watauga Detention Center.

The arrestee in this case is:

John Edward Heelan

104 Orchid Drive

Greenville, SC 29617

W/M, 55 years of age

The charges filed are:

  • One count of Felony Solicit a Child by Computer and Appear
  • One Count of Indecent Liberties with a Minor

Heelan’s court date was set for March 3, 2016, and his conditions of release were set as a $50,000 secured bond.