Please forgive me if similar thoughts have been shared, I haven't caught up yet but wanted to post:
Whew, last night's news had me a little short circuited and I had to step away from the computer. In the clarity of day, I'm glad to know it wasn't quite bad as it could've been, although I really can’t say my opinion of him has risen any with that reassurance.
I have two thoughts (which very quickly became 4):
1) IMO, the theft arrest (phone) was probably not the result of clandestine police work, it was probably just coincidental. Looking at the arrest and release dates of the stolen phone charge has always given me a giggle though. He sat in jail for 7 days, 1 hour, and 44 minutes in the midst of heavy scrutiny for being involved with someone’s disappearance; I’ve always been curious as to what date his bail was set. I just smile and shake my head at that question.
2) It sounds very much like the relationship with the minor was a consensual one, but per the affidavit, he lied about his age which indicates inherent knowledge of wrongdoing or inappropriateness. What sticks out to me is the age he stated puts him right in the window of legality. Correct me if I’m wrong, but as written, the law does not seem to interfere with consensual sexual relationships where a max 3 year age difference exists between the age of the minor/child and the “adult” (14 and older). He selected 19 either unknowingly and through sheer dumb luck (for lack of a better phrase) OR because he knew the nature of their relationship would be considered criminal and he was hoping to minimize legal risk through verbal fraud.
3) Some people have made statements about PPD grasping at straws in charging EA with this and that sounds fairly disparaging. For starters, we don’t know the nature of how PPD found out, we just know they did. Secondly, we don’t know the nature of how this girl came forward; maybe she has only recently found out his true age through the course of him being arrested for AK and has felt violated due to the knowledge of having been lied to. Maybe she came forward in hopes that it helps police. Maybe PPD sought her out and has asked her to help them out as they continue to build their case against him. It is what is now.
4) IMO, even if EA is acquitted of AK, it is unlikely he will escape the charges of SA against a child, first degree felony, 5-99 years. His defense may try to claim it being “consensual”, but the prosecutor will cite EA’s predatory deceit in regards to age. Even if he only gets 5 years and has early release due to good behavior + time already served, he will be required to be registered as a known sex offender, and of a child at that. This means police are going to keep tabs on his whereabouts, his employment opportunities will be severely handicapped, and it will be difficult for him to do something even as simple as rent an apartment. I would not classify this as Plano grasping at straws, I would classify this as a pretty bold strategic chess move.
Side-note: This is not an issue of relevance, more of a just a human interest factor, but in looking at the affidavit it would appear as though the message “I’m glad I. . .”--(fill in the blank) was sent to his girlfriend (name in parenthesis) which seems incredibly cavalier of him, given what all had been shaking around in his life at that point (November, 2014). I don’t know what kind of dynamic existed between them, but he seems like such an arrogant jerk. I mean, after my diatribe I guess I’m not really surprised by this.