$1 Million Bond Set for Man Accused of Arranging Sex Meeting at Chuck E. Cheese

Court documents say Shelby Lee Thompson communicated with a profile portraying a 13-year-old girl and appeared near the planned meeting site.

JONESBORO, Ark. — A $1 million cash-or-surety bond was set Friday for a man accused of arranging a sexual encounter with an online profile portraying a 13-year-old girl.

Shelby Lee Thompson is charged with internet stalking of a child, a Class Y felony punishable by 10 to 40 years or life in prison.

Jonesboro police arrested Thompson on Aug. 25 in the 3400 block of East Highland Drive, according to a probable cause affidavit. Jonesboro’s Chuck E. Cheese is located at 3400 E. Highland Drive.

The affidavit alleges Thompson communicated with the profile and arranged to meet at about 8 p.m. for the purpose of sex. During the conversation, Thompson allegedly said they were “going straight to sex,” asked whether the child would tell him to stop if it became too much and suggested using a safe word.

Investigators said the telephone number used in the communications was linked to Thompson.

Police also found a black Ram 1500 displaying dealer tag EX39133 parked across the street from the planned meeting site, according to the affidavit. Investigators said Thompson had recently been cited while driving a vehicle displaying the same tag.

Officers allegedly saw Thompson walking around the meeting area before returning toward the truck. He was taken into custody, and police seized a phone from him that investigators said had communicated with the profile.

A temporary bond of $250,000 was originally set. Once Judge David Boling reviewed the defendant’s history Friday, he set Thompson’s bond at $1 million cash or surety. If released, Thompson may not possess a device capable of accessing the internet or communicating with others, may not have contact with any minor children and must wear a GPS ankle monitor.

Thompson’s next court appearance is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. Sept. 30 at the Craighead County Courthouse.

All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.