News Summary
Virginia Beach has sentenced 65-year-old Ricky Horton, a registered sex offender, to 51 years in prison following an undercover sting operation. Horton was arrested for multiple charges including propositioning a minor and possession of child pornography. His total active sentence amounts to 56.5 years after serving additional time due to probation violations. The operation, conducted by Predator Poachers, exposes individuals targeting minors online, highlighting the ongoing efforts to protect children from sexual exploitation.
Virginia Beach Sentences Sex Offender to Over 56 Years After Undercover Operation
Virginia Beach has sentenced 65-year-old Ricky Horton, a registered sex offender from Norfolk, to an active term of 51 years in prison following his arrest during an undercover sting operation in September 2024. This sentencing comes on the heels of Horton’s multiple charges involving propositioning a minor, attempted indecent liberties, and possession of child pornography.
Horton’s total sentence amounts to 105 years, with 54 years suspended, but due to his probation status at the time of the offenses, he served an additional 5.5 years, bringing his total active sentence to 56.5 years. The nature of his crimes included communicating with an individual he believed to be an 11-year-old girl named “Emily,” with whom he engaged in explicit conversations and discussions about meeting for sexual acts.
Authorities first apprehended Horton when he arranged to meet this fictitious minor at a designated location in Virginia Beach. Unbeknownst to him, he was actually communicating with members of Predator Poachers, a group that creates fictitious personas to expose individuals attempting to solicit minors for sexual activities. Following his arrest, investigators found 179 photos and videos on his phone that depicted child sexual abuse material (CSAM).
Charges and Arrest Details
Horton faced several serious charges, including:
- Proposing a sexual act by communication system with a victim under 15 years old
- Attempted indecent liberties (six counts)
- Possession of child pornography
- Violation of probation
During the undercover operation, Horton quickly admitted his intentions and cooperated fully with law enforcement officials. His previous criminal history is extensive and alarming; it includes convictions for attempted rape, three counts of grand larceny, statutory burglary, multiple DUI offenses, and several counts of failure to register as a sex offender.
Background on Criminal History
Horton has been flagged multiple times for serious offenses since his initial registration as a sex offender. His longstanding pattern of violating terms of probation, combined with new criminal charges, positioned him as a repeat offender. This latest operation showcased the efforts of law enforcement and groups like Predator Poachers to identify and apprehend individuals who pose serious threats to minors.
The operation that led to Horton’s arrest underscores a growing concern surrounding the online safety of children, especially in settings where predators exploit technology to target young individuals. The legal system’s robust response to offenders like Horton aims to deter future incidents and protect vulnerable populations from similar predatory behavior.
Conclusion
The sentencing of Ricky Horton serves as both a punitive measure and a warning to others who may engage in similar conduct. As technology evolves, so too does the approach of law enforcement and community organizations in combating sexual exploitation and ensuring child safety.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Virginia Beach Man Sentenced to 25 Years for Child Exploitation
Virginia Parole Board Denies Geriatric Parole for Convicted Murderer
First Conviction of Identical Twin Using DNA Evidence
Additional Resources
- WAVY: Ricky Horton Sentenced to 56 Years
- 13 News Now: Virginia Beach Man Receives 56-Year Sentence
- WTKR: Navy Chief Petty Officer Admits to Creating Child Sexual Abuse Material
- 13 News Now: Virginia Beach Man Charged with Child Pornography
- Wikipedia: Sexual Offender
Author: STAFF HERE VIRGINIA BEACH WRITER
VIRGINIA BEACH STAFF WRITER The VIRGINIA BEACH STAFF WRITER represents the seasoned team at HEREVirginiaBeach.com, your trusted source for actionable local news and information in Virginia Beach, Virginia Beach City, and beyond, delivering "news you can use" with comprehensive coverage of product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news impacting the region—supported by years of expert reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates, while offering top reporting on high-profile events like the Virginia Beach Neptune Festival, East Coast Surfing Championship, and military homecoming celebrations, alongside key organizations such as the Virginia Aquarium, Virginia Beach Convention Center, and Oceana Naval Air Station, plus leading businesses in tourism and defense like Busch Gardens and Northrop Grumman, and as part of the broader HERE network including HEREWilliamsburg.com, providing credible, in-depth insights into Virginia's vibrant landscape. HERE Virginia Beach HERE Williamsburg
