Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: 01/10/07

Contact person(s):

Media Coordinator, Donna Edwards - 565-3099 Media Spokesperson, Assistant District Attorney Christine Cook

Santa Rosa, Sonoma County, California

GUILTY VERDICT IN SEX STING CASE

District Attorney Stephan Passalacqua announced today that a Sonoma County jury found Christopher Scarberry guilty yesterday of attempting to commit a lewd and lascivious act on a child under the age of fourteen. Scarberry was arrested after a sting operation conducted by the Santa Rosa Police Department. Scarberry will be sentenced on February 7, 2006, in front of the Hon. Judge Raima Ballinger.

District Attorney Passalacqua commended the jury, saying, “This verdict confirms that our community will hold those who attempt to prey on children accountable.”

Scarberry engaged in a conversation of a sexual nature on an erotic services section of the “Craig’s List” website with a person he believed to be a thirteen year-old runaway girl. The girl was actually Brad Conners, a detective with the Santa Rosa Police Department. Scarberry agreed to pay the girl to perform a sex act and drove to meet her near the transit mall in downtown Santa Rosa. When he arrived he was confronted by officers with the Santa Rosa Police Department and arrested.

Scarberry, a 39 year old traveling licensed nurse from West Virginia was residing in Santa Rosa at the time of his arrest. He faces a maximum of 4 years imprisonment.

The jury deliberated Tuesday afternoon before reaching their verdict.

Deputy District Attorney Brian A. Staebell was the prosecutor assigned to the case. He was assisted by District Attorney Investigator Kris Allen, Legal Assistant Dava Kohlman, Legal Secretary Coleen Atmore, Secretary Cheryl Hegg, and Information Specialist John Magsamen. Santa Rosa Police Dective Brad Conners was the lead detective.