ST. CLAIRSVILLE, Ohio (WTRF) — A Wheeling man was arrested Wednesday night in St. Clairsville after police say he attempted to meet with what he believed was a 14-year-old girl — who was actually an undercover officer.

According to the St. Clairsville Police Department, 33-year-old Gary Spence was taken into custody around 9:10 p.m. on Oct. 22 after an investigation conducted through a decoy Facebook account operated by the department.

Investigators say the account was part of an ongoing effort to identify individuals attempting to lure minors online. Officer Work of the St. Clairsville Police Department led the investigation, which also involved the Belmont County Sheriff’s Office.

Police say Spence began messaging the account — which he believed belonged to a 14-year-old girl — and ov

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