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Priest At Michigan Church Arrested In Cyber Sex Sting

Internet Sting Aims To Protect Children Online

POSTED: Tuesday, May 25, 2004
UPDATED: 4:52 pm EDT May 25, 2004

A priest at Saint Patrick's Church in Portland, Mich., was arrested by Warren police Monday after he allegedly arranged a meeting with someone he thought was a teenage girl.

Rev. Shamaun Beas, from Pakistan, is a visiting priest at Saint Patrick's. Police say he drove from Portland to Warren where he arranged a sexual encounter with an undercover officer who posed as the girl.

Warren police were waiting for Beas when he arrived.

Beas (pictured, left) was arrested as part of Attorney General Mike Cox's new effort to crack down on child predators who use the Internet.

"The goal of this project is to strike fear into those who would think to use the Internet to prey upon children," said Cox.

Cox said the sting is an effort to protect children when they're online, but he said authorities will need assistance from parents.

"These arrests show the absolute need for parents to be on guard, to be aware of what their children are watching on the Internet and know who they're communicating with. With all the benefits the Internet provides, it also provides new dangers," said Cox.

He said Beas is charged with eight counts, including child sexually abusive activity, using a computer to commit a crime and using a computer to distribute obscene material.

Cox also announced the arrest of a New Hudson man who had been paroled in September 2002 after serving part of a sentence for fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct.

Ned H. Fauth, 44, who also faces eight counts, was arrested at his home and is accused of using his computer to set up a meeting with someone he thought was a 14-year-old girl to engage in sexual activity.

Fauth (pictured, right) was arraigned in Novi on Monday.

Beas was arraigned on Tuesday. His bond was set at $5 million.

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