Pulaski County Sheriff Bobby Jones announces the arrest of a Lexington man following an investigation into alleged online sexual communications with a minor.
On September 24, 2026, the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office’s Criminal Investigation Division was contacted by representatives of KyPredoPursuit regarding a forty-nine year old male who had allegedly been communicating online with an individual he believed to be a fourteen year old female.
According to the investigation, the suspect, identified as Jose Omar Preza Sanchez, 48, of Lexington, engaged in sexually explicit online conversations with the juvenile decoy beginning September 21, 2026. During the communications, the suspect was allegedly informed multiple times that the individual was fourteen years old. Sanchez planned to rent a motel room in Pulaski County to meet the individual.
Detective Trent Massey was assigned to the investigation. Det. Massey alleged that the suspect subsequently traveled to Somerset and made arrangements to meet what he believed to be a minor female. On September 25, at approximately 11:00 a.m., Sanchez arrived at the Comfort Inn in Somerset and reserved a room for the night. Sanchez had also transported a seven-year old female in the vehicle with him from Lexington, who Sanchez stated had a diagnosis of autism. He then left the hotel with the seven-year old and drove to Family Dollar, where detectives, deputies, and members of United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) took Sanchez into custody at approximately 11:12 a.m.
Sanchez was arrested and transported to the Pulaski County Detention Center. Sanchez was charged with Unlawful Transaction with a Minor, 1st Degree – Illegal Sex Act, U/18 Years of Age (Attempt) and Distribution of Obscene Matter to Minors, 1st Offense. Sanchez was also placed on a federal detainer due to being in the United States illegally.
Det. Massey was assisted by Detective Lieutenant Matt Bryant, Detective Jay Picard, Sergeant Dylan West, Deputy Grant Bryant, Deputy Brad Bunch, members of ICE, and the Department for Community Based Services.
Sheriff Bobby Jones stated, “Our message remains very clear: adults who use the internet to target children will be investigated and held accountable. We appreciate the cooperation of KyPredoPursuit and the work of our investigators and ICE in preventing what could have been a dangerous encounter with a child.”
( posted on the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office Facebook Page)
