30/04/2023
On Tuesday, April 25, 2023, Marion County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) Detective Michael Fredette arrested 37-year-old Edward John Horn (W/M, DOB: 06/16/1985) for Soliciting a Child for Unlawful Sexual Conduct Using a Computer, Unlawful Use of a Two-Way Communication Device, and Transmitting of Material Harmful to Minors.
On January 9, 2023, Detective Fredette, who is a detective in the Sexual Offender and Predator Unit (SOPU), arrested Horn for two counts of Failure by a Sexual Offender to Comply with Registration Requirements. During an interview, Horn disclosed that he used multiple social media platforms to meet girls between the ages of 12 and 15. He claimed that the relationships were “non-sexual” and claimed he would delete the accounts to avoid getting himself into trouble. Horn denied sending anything inappropriate to the juveniles; however, he then went on to ask Detective Fredette how law enforcement officials determine whether an image depicts child sexual abuse material (CSAM).
After the initial arrest, Detective Fredette continued to investigate Horn’s statements about speaking with young girls online. On January 12, search warrants were obtained for Horn’s social media accounts. Through his review of the evidence received about Horn’s social media accounts, Detective Fredette determined that Horn used social media to locate juvenile victims between the ages of 13 and 17. Horn then engaged in sexually explicit conversations with the girls in an attempt to solicit them for sexual encounters. Detective Fredette also discovered that Horn transmitted a n**e photo of himself in at least one of the online conversations. Throughout his contact with the juvenile girls, Horn repeatedly misrepresented his age. In one conversation, he claimed to be 20 years younger than his actual age.
Horn was arrested and transported to the Marion County Jail, where he remains held without bond.
