Sex offender busted for trying to meet an underaged girl through Craigslist

Orange County District Attorney Press Release

For Immediate Release, Case # 13WF0132: October 25, 2013

SEX OFFENDER SENTENCED TO THREE YEARS IN PRISON FOR ARRANGING TO MEET UNDERAGE GIRL FOR SEX THROUGH CRAIGSLIST

*The underage girl was an undercover officer

WESTMINSTER – A registered sex offender was sentenced today to three years in state prison for arranging to meet an underage girl for sex through Craigslist. Carlton Earl Griner, 56, Garden Grove, pleaded guilty today to one felony count each of contacting a child with intent to commit a lewd act, meeting a minor with intent to engage in lewd conduct, and attempted lewd act upon a child under 14 years old. Griner was also required to register as a lifetime sex offender in California based on his prior conviction of possessing child pornography in Iowa.

In January 2013, Griner posted an advertisement soliciting sex on Craigslist. Griner exchanged sexually explicit emails with an undercover Huntington Beach Police Department (HBPD) officer, whom Griner believed was a 13-year-old girl.

On Jan. 9, 2013, Griner made arrangements with the undercover officer to meet at a shopping center. He drove to the meeting location with the intent to have sexual contact with the “13-year-old girl.” Upon arrival, HBPD officers arrested the defendant.

Griner’s lifetime registration as a sex offender bars him from entering County recreational areas and City parks which have passed the Sex Offender Ordinance. Visit www.orangecountyda.com to read the prior press releases on the County’s Sex Offender Ordinance as well as the 14 other cities that have enacted the Child Safety Zone Ordinance.

Deputy District Attorney Keith Burke of the Sexual Assault Unit prosecuted this case.

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Tony Rackauckas, District Attorney 401 Civic Center Drive West Santa Ana, CA 92701 Contacts:

Susan Kang Schroeder Chief of Staff Office: 714-347-8408 Cell: 714-292-2718 Farrah Emami Spokesperson Office: 714-347-8405 Cell: 714-323-4486