An online advertisement placed by an Albertville man on Craigslist has landed him more than he bargained for, according to a report filed by the St. Paul Pioneer Press on TwinCities.com.
Donald James Tisdale, 58, of Albertville, was arrested by officers from the St. Paul Police Department after an investigator from SPPD and the Minnesota Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force Monday after they responded to Tisdale’s ad asking “Who is Playing Hooky from School Today?”
According to a complaint filed in Ramsey County District Court, the investigators posed as a 14-year-old girl, telling Tisdale through messages they would meet up with him Monday somewhere in St. Paul, which is where Tisdale works.
Tisdale’s ad read, “If you are home from school today, open sexual and are interested in more drop me a line and lets see how I can make your day.” It also mentioned he was “middle aged” and male.
The complaint goes on to state:
Officers responded to Tisdale’s ad with an “age regressed” picture of a female employee at the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension included. After receiving that message, the person who placed the ad, allegedly Tisdale, asked if the respondent was “OK with older men?”
Conversation revolved around the respondent’s encounter with “other older men,” with Tisdale asking “How far did you go with him.” The advertiser also sent a picture of himself with his pants around his ankles.
After asking for the “girl’s” address, the police officer responded with a rendezvous point near Maryland and White Bear Avenues in St. Paul. The advertiser said that would work, the complaint continues, because he worked in St. Paul by Minnesota Highway 280.
Tisdale arrived in a car and matched the photos sent by the advertiser. He was arrested at the scene around 11:40 a.m. Monday, Feb. 23, the complaint states. He faces two counts of electronic solicitation of a child.
The Pioneer Press stated it could not reach Tisdale for comment.