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Meridian police arrest 6 in sex sting

Posted at 11:39 AM, Mar 28, 2017
and last updated 2017-03-28 12:52:28-04

The Meridian Police Department has arrested six suspects in a recent sex sting. 

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The undercover operation involved officers pretending to be underaged teens online, and then arresting the suspects when they attempted to meet up with the made-up teen.

The following were arrested:

- Gregory Keesee and Claudia Kopacka 

Click here for more information on that arrest

- Gary Pedriana

Chief Blanton began talking to Pedriana using an app called Skout. 57-year-old Pedriana believed he was talking to a 16-year-old girl. 

On March 2, Pedriana attempted to meet up with the girl, but when he arrived he was met by Meridian PD officers and members of the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office Criminal Investigation Division.

Police said he had an overnight bag and had prepared to stay for an extended amount of time. 

He is currently a registered sex offender who has served prison time for the same offense of a child under 14 years of age. 

- Robert Coffey

Police said Coffey also believed he was talking to a 16-year-old girl when it was actually Chief Blanton. The 41-year-old from Waco sent sexually explicit photos to the girl.

When he arrived to Meridian to have sex with the girl, he was greeted by police. Police said he had condoms with him and other items.

Coffey was arrested and charged with Online Solicitation of a Minor and Distribution of Harmful Material to a minor. He was taken to the Bosque County Jail on March 24.

- William Hensley

Police said Hensley believed he was talking to a 15-year-old girl using the app, Skout. Hensley believed he was meeting up to have sex with the 15-year-old and her 16-year-old friend. 

26-year-old Hensley from Comanche was arrested and Charged with Online Solicitation of a Minor.

- Dexter Nkollo

Police said Nkollo was using the app Skout when he thought he was talking to a 15-year-old girl. Nkollo is from the Dallas area.

On March 1, the subject came to Meridian where he was met by Meridian police officers, Clifton police officers, Constable Pct. 1, as well as a DPS Trooper. Nkollo was arrested and booked into the Bosque County Jail for Online Solicitation of a minor. 

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