Court documents detail Rochester child solicitation sting

By KAALTV

Adam Blackwell / Olmsted County ADC

(ABC 6 News) – Adam Frank Blackwell was formally charged with felony child solicitation and engaging in electronic communication relating to or describing sexual conduct with a child in Olmsted County Court Thursday, June 27.

According to court documents filed Thursday, Rochester police made a post on an unspecified social media platform adults often use to solicit children, using a “title about summer and boys,” as well as a photo of a teenaged girl.

The post appears similar to one used in the arrest of Michael Tuma, which read “any nice boys out there as bored on summer break as me??”

Court documents allege that on June 20, a user later identified as Blackwell responded.

The app’s data showed the profile belonged to a 30- to 35-year-old man within 7 miles of the Rochester officer posing as a child.

According to court documents, Blackwell began chatting with the undercover officer, and when the officer said they were “13, almost 14,” he told them to “get off the app.”

About an hour later, he allegedly re-initiated contact with the undercover officer, began chatting again, sent a photo of himself, and asked if they had done anything sexual before.

Court documents allege that Blackwell indicated he was interested in sex with the “child,” then said he should stop talking like that–then re-initiated contact on June 26.

Court documents claim Blackwell deleted two accounts, created new ones to chat with the undercover officer, and eventually made plans to meet at Silverlake Park for a sexual encounter.

Officers met Blackwell at the park and placed him under arrest, where he said he “knew he was talking to a 13-year-old and that it was wrong,” but initially denied agreeing to meet specifically for sex on the 26th.

—–PREVIOUS STORY—–

(ABC 6 News) – A Rochester man faces recommended child solicitation charges following an online sting June 25.

Adam Blackwell, 34, is accused of planning to meet an individual he thought was a minor for sex at Silver Lake Park.

He was allegedly exchanging messages with an investigator posting as a female child, according to Rochester police.

Blackwell was taken into custody at Silver Lake Park Tuesday afternoon.

Rochester police recommend felony charges of soliciting a child through electronic communication, and electronic communication involving sexual conduct with a child.

Rochester police took an Owatonna man into custody for child solicitation in a similar sting June 7.