November 28, 2007
News Story

BRT Efforts Score Another Success

BEDFORD - A Roanoke County man on Tuesday became the first defendant convicted in Bedford County under a new law that carries a mandatory minimum sentence of five years for using a computer to solicit sex from a minor at least seven years younger.

Samuel Philip Wyar, 22, was caught in a sting run by Operation Blue Ridge Thunder, the Bedford County Sheriff's Office program well-known for making arrests in Internet sex crime cases. The new law took effect on July 1st.

Assistant Bedford County Commonwealth's Attorney Wes Nance said that on July 25th, Wyar solicited sex via computer from an officer posing as a 13-year-old girl, then traveled to Bedford County that same day for a meeting with her.

Wyar pleaded no contest Tuesday morning to soliciting sex from a minor using a computer and attempted indecent liberties with a minor. He was sentences to 10 years in prison, suspended after serving five, Nance said.

Story Courtesy of Mike Allen with The Roanoke Times