Evansville Man Caught by Group Attempting to Meet Young Girl

According to the Vanderburgh County Sheriff's Office, Clifton Dardeen, 55, traveled four hours to meet a 14-year-old named “Alexis."

EVANSVILLE, Ind. — An Evansville man is behind bars after law enforcement officials say he tried to meet up with a 14-year-old girl.

Clifton Dardeen, 55, traveled four hours to meet a 14-year-old named “Alexis,” but was instead confronted by a “predator catcher” group who recorded the encounter. The group is known for exposing adults who they believe are trying to engage in illegal relationships.

Vanderburgh County Sheriff Noah Robinson said although the group is working to catch child predators, this may have been an instance where they were being unhelpful.

“I don’t like our law enforcement officers having to respond to poorly handled situations that are more about public shaming than resulting in justice for victims,” said Sheriff Robinson.

Dardeen is charged with two counts of child solicitation and is currently held on a $50,000 bond at the Grant County Jail.

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