James Randy Gatling - Coach charged child molestation

A former high school coach charged with sexual indecency with a child appeared in court Friday, and his arrest is just the latest in a string of alleged internet crimes across the state. Law enforcement officials are cracking down on these kinds of crimes, and issuing a warning to those thinking about committing them.

James Randy Gatling, 58, was given a $10,000 bond Friday, after Shannon Hills police say the former basketball coach's online chats with someone he believed to be a 13-year-old landed him on police radar.

Sadly these kinds of cases are cropping up all over the state.

(Terry Ball, Deputy Prosecutor, Pulaski County) "We have cases in which the internet predator starts with the communication with someone they believe to be 13, then they set up meetings. Then they travel to sometimes from out of state from Florida or Texas or Ohio. Sometimes they bring ropes and masking tape.”

That unthinkable behavior is why recent internet stings are targeting more of the predators to prevent a virtual victim from becoming a real one.

A random survey of law enforcement agencies across central Arkansas is quite telling. In Shannon Hills, where Gatling was arrested, there have been 11 similar arrests this past year. White County and North Little Rock each took three suspects into custody.

More than 20 such convictions are noted at the Department of Correction.

(Ball) "Some are going to prison, some get huge fines, huge probation with a lot of rules associated with it. It just depends on the individual case. A lot of them are going to the penitentiary."

Ball says it’s just a matter of time before they get caught.