Local group helps police catch alleged sexual predators

A local group who uses the internet to catch adults trying to solicit children online for sex helped Charleston police make two arrests this week. Glen Zerbi of Charleston and Hector Martinez of Elkview are each charged with one count of soliciting a minor, a felony. The group, Child Ped Patrol WV met with the two men at a location where officers would be. Zerbi then agreed to come with police to the station for an interview where he admitted that he developed an online relationship with an underage girl who he believed was 14-years-old. Martinez admitted to having online conversations with a girl he believed was 14-years-old through the Telegram app. If convicted they face five to 30 years in prison on the charge.