Montgomery County Police Officer Accused of Trying to Solicit Minor Online

A Montgomery County police officer is accused of trying to solicit a minor online during an undercover operation by police officers in Virginia.

Christopher B. Dunkes, 27, was one of seven men arrested during the operation by Prince William County officers.

Dunkes was hired by Montgomery County Police on Feb. 24, 2014 and was a uniformed patrol officer in Bethesda, said Montgomery County Police spokesman Paul Starks. He is now suspended without pay, Starks said.

Montgomery County internal affairs investigators are communicating with Prince William County criminal investigators.

Prince William County Police say officers began a week-long operation June 6, targeting offenders of crimes involving children. Undercover detectives posed as juveniles on social media and on a website. 

The operation was done as a proactive effort and wasn't in response to any specific incident, Prince William police said.

Police said men contacted the undercover detectives and "solicited sexual or indecent acts," and in each of the incidents, the suspects made arrangements to meet the undercover detective at a public spot in Prince William County.

Upon arriving, detectives arrested each suspect, seven in all. The suspects range in age from 20 to 58.

Dunkes, of Gaithersburg, is charged with three counts of using a communication device to facilitate certain offense with children.

He is being held without bond and is due in court July 14.

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