2 weeks Ago By Olivia Estright
ROCHESTER — A Rochester man has been accused of soliciting a child following an 11-week undercover Rochester Police Department investigation. According to charges filed on Nov. 6, Joseph Peter Solak, 48, was charged with soliciting a child through electronic communication to engage in sexual conduct, engaging in electronic communication relating to describing sexual conduct with a child, soliciting a child to engage in sexual conduct and stalking by false impersonation, all felonies.
ADVERTISEMENT Solak was initially booked on Friday, Nov. 1, but a judge later ruled that there was not probable cause at the time and advised jail staff to release him on Saturday, Nov. 2, according to Amanda Grayson, crime prevention and communications coordinator with RPD.
According to the criminal complaint, an online operation was conducted by RPD detectives using social media sites beginning in August 2024. An undercover officer made a post as a young girl with a caption about boys, the complaint said. On Aug.
14, 2024, an account of a man over the age of 45 messaged the undercover officer and said they were in Rochester and “that boys need to mature.” Days later, the man told the undercover officer that he works in corrections and prefers to talk to younger people. The undercover officer said they were almost 14 with “shhh” and an emoji, the complaint said.
The man messaged back, saying he was “crushing on” the undercover officer. He began asking the undercover officer “things that are sexual in nature," the complaint said. The man also said he coached youth sports, the complaint said.
According to the complaint, they chatted about sexual things through Sept. 7. During that time, the man would send the undercover officer photos of him in boxers.
Another photo was sent of a car’s dashboard. Officers identified the man in the photos as "Witness 1." During the course of the investigation, it was determined that "Witness 1" was not the user speaking to the undercover officer as the person's car dashboard did not match the one in the photos.
ADVERTISEMENT The detective determined that someone else was using the person's photos and persona while chatting with the undercover officer. It was also determined that the man chatting with them likely worked with the witness, the complaint said. One IP address that was used by the man chatting with the undercover officer came from a hockey arena in Dodge County.
The detective found that Solak was at the arena when the IP address was used. Officers then confirmed that the number registered to Solak was the number used to communicate with the undercover officer. Solak provided police with a statement, in which he confirmed that his username on the social media app was the same as the user who was chatting with the undercover officer.
“He went on to say that he uses the app to talk with females about sex. Sometimes the people he is chatting with are 10-16 years old. Solak said that even after he learned their age he would continue to talk with them about sex,” the complaint said.
"Solak would go to other social media sites to get pictures of other males to send to people. He said he used other peoples photos so that he could be anonymous." Solak’s first appearance is scheduled for Dec.
20. Those experiencing sexual exploitation can call a 24-hour crisis line at 507-289-0636 to speak to someone who can direct you towards help. ADVERTISEMENT.
