Man faces solicitation charge

A Bluffton man is in custody after he allegedly tried to arrange a sexual encounter with a minor.

Jay County police arrested Dustin L. Garrett, 48, 928 W. Cherry St., House B, on Thursday when he visited Portland’s Village Pantry location, where the alleged encounter was supposed to occur.

He is charged with child solicitation, a Level 3 felony, and inappropriate communication with a child, a Class A misdemeanor. He is being held on $30,000 bond in Jay County Jail.

Police say the arrest stemmed from Garrett messaging an undercover police profile that posed as a minor. He allegedly arranged to meet the “child” at Village Pantry, 704 N. Meridian St., Portland. Deputy Derek Bogenschutz and five other officers arrested Garrett when he arrived around 8 p.m.



Theft

Three local residents were arrested and charged with theft, a Level 6 felony, on Thursday.

Jeffrey S. Mast, 42, 1218 S. Miller Ave., Portland, and Daniel Secrest, 51, 117 E. Broadway St. Lot 13, Fort Recovery, are being held on $4,000 bond each in Jay County Jail.

Jesse L. Ishman, 39, 122 E. Water St., Portland, is being held on $3,000 bond in Jay County Jail.