A registered sex offender from Linton has been charged with child solicitation after investigators say he engaged in weeks of online communications with someone he believed was a 13-year-old boy.

Dale L. McNeal Jr., 46, is charged with Level 5 felony child solicitation following an investigation by the Linton Police Department.

According to a probable cause affidavit, officers responded to a residence on C Street NW on May 15 after receiving information that McNeal had allegedly been communicating online with a child. When officers arrived, they also learned McNeal had been using social media accounts that had not been reported to his probation officer, as required by the terms of his supervision.

Police seized two cell phones from McNeal as evidence. He later declined to provide a statement during a formal interview.

Investigators learned the case originated after two members of group called PredatorPoachers, Alex Rosen and Cody Harris, reported online communications they had documented. According to court documents, Harris created a Facebook profile portraying a 13-year-old boy as part of an online sting operation.

The affidavit alleges McNeal initiated contact through Facebook on or about April 19 before moving the conversation to text messaging and phone calls.

Court documents state the profile repeatedly identified the child as being 13 years old, and investigators allege McNeal acknowledged both the child's age and the legal consequences of communicating with a minor before continuing the conversations.

According to the affidavit, investigators reviewed Facebook messages, text conversations, screenshots, and more than 30 recorded phone calls. Police allege the communications demonstrated grooming behavior, including building trust, encouraging secrecy, discussing a future relationship, and making plans to meet in person.

Investigators further allege McNeal discussed picking the child up, living together, and exchanged romantic messages while believing he was communicating with a 13-year-old.

According to court records, McNeal is currently on probation following a 2009 Greene County conviction for Class A felony child molesting.