Wayne County Sheriff’s Office reported the arrest on Thursday (3/9) at 9:36 a.m. of a NYS Level 2 Sex Offender, following an online predator investigation that began January of this year.

Assisted by the New York State Police Cyber Crimes investigators, WCSO investigators, learned that Jacob M. Ritchie, age 31, of 6086 Lake Avenue in the Village of Wolcott, was trolling social networking sites, looking for females, age 14 and under. Ritchie was utilizing an application, “Meet24”, for the purpose of attempting to entice, who he thought was a 14 year old female, into sending nude photographs and to possibility meet her.

Jacob M. Ritchie is a Level 2, with a designation of Sexually Violent Offender from a conviction for Rape using Force, and Aggravated Sexual Assault, back in September of 2012. Cyber Crimes investigators and Wayne County Sheriff’s members determined that Ritchie was using the screen name of “J” which traced back to him through an email address he has listed with the NYS Sex Offender Registry. When investigators with the WCSO went to pick up Ritchie, he attempted to run away and then fought with the investigator.

Ritchie is currently charged with NYS Corrections Law, Failure to Change/Update Status with the NYS Sex Offender Registry, an E Felony, for failing to notify the Albany, NY department of his use of the screen name “J” and using the application, “Meet24”. He is also charged with Resisting Arrest, an A misdemeanor.

Ritchie was brought before the Village of Wolcott Justice Court where he was remanded to jail on $2500 cash/$5000 bond. Ritchie has since posted bail and is released until his next court appearance scheduled for April 6, at 5:00 pm in the Village of Wolcott Criminal Court.

Wayne County Sheriff’s Office is continuing this investigation.