Feds lured rape suspect to Sandusky

PERKINS TWP. — Federal authorities, posing as a child online, lured a rape suspect back to Sandusky and arrested him on felony charges. On Tuesday, Perkins police released more details of the investigation leading to the arrest of 28-year-old Columbus resident Devante Roberts last Thursday on a first-degree felony rape charge and a third-degree felony abduction charge, according to a news release. On Aug. 22, Roberts allegedly took a child from Sandusky, against their will, from a Perkins Township business to an undisclosed location, sexually assaulted the child, and then returned them to the business, the release states. After starting an investigation into the alleged rape, Perkins police enlisted the assistance of the Toledo FBI Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force, along with Ohio's Bureau of Criminal investigation. Roberts then allegedly contacted someone who he thought was a child on Snapchat, a photo-sharing app, to meet for a sexual encounter, the release states. In reality, the Snapchat account belonged to the FBI's Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force, who arranged to meet with Roberts in Sandusky. With help from the Erie County Sheriff's Office and Huron police, Perkins police arrested Roberts when he returned to allegedly meet the child, according to the release. Police said the investigation is ongoing and several search warrants will be served.