43-Year-Old Stacy Man Arrested in Forest Lake Online Child Exploitation Sting
Published: March 24th, 2026 |
WASHINGTON COUNTY MN: A 43-year-old man from Stacy has been arrested and charged following an undercover online child exploitation operation conducted by the Washington County Sheriff’s Office.
According to the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, detectives carried out the operation on March 13, 2026, in Forest Lake as part of an effort to identify individuals attempting to exploit minors online.
Investigators created an undercover account posing as a 15-year-old girl. During the course of communication, William Murle Luck, 43, of Stacy, allegedly engaged in conversations with the account and made arrangements to meet in person.
Authorities say Luck traveled to a predetermined meeting location in Forest Lake, where he was taken into custody by detectives working in coordination with the Forest Lake Police Department. According to the sheriff’s office, Luck allegedly intended to bring the individual back to his residence to engage in sexual activity.
Luck has since been formally charged with one count of engaging in electronic communication relating to or describing sexual conduct with a child.
The Washington County Sheriff’s Office said the case underscores the ongoing risks children face in online environments and highlights proactive efforts by law enforcement to identify and arrest individuals seeking to exploit minors.
Officials are also urging parents and guardians to remain actively involved in their children’s online activity. Recommended safety measures include maintaining open communication about online interactions, monitoring apps and social media use, reviewing privacy settings, and educating children about warning signs such as requests for personal information or attempts to move conversations off platforms.
Authorities stress that children should never meet in person with someone they have only interacted with online and that any suspicious or inappropriate behavior should be reported immediately.
Anyone with information related to similar incidents is encouraged to contact the Washington County Sheriff’s Office at 651-439-9381.