CARROLLTON MAN ARRESTED FOLLOWING ONLINE STING IN ALTON

ALTON, ILLINOIS — A Carrollton man was arrested by police Thursday following an online sting in Alton involving allegations that he attempted to meet someone he believed was underage.

Aaron G. Settles was taken into custody by officers at the scene on July 31. Video of the encounter shows police placing Settles in handcuffs and leading him away.

The operation reportedly involved online communications conducted through a decoy account before a meeting was arranged in Alton. Specific details concerning the alleged conversations, the age presented by the decoy and the location of the arrest have not yet been officially released.

Authorities have also not yet announced the formal criminal charges against Settles. An arrest does not constitute a finding of guilt, and the allegations will be subject to review by prosecutors and the courts.

RiverNewsLive will update the story when additional information is released by Alton police or Madison County authorities.