Virginia police have arrested a man who checked into a motel expecting to have sex with a five-year-old girl. Louis Ponterio was confronted by local police and federal agents when he opened the door to room 116 at the Econo Lodge in Henrico, Virginia. He is currently being held in Henrico without bond.
Ponterio, 54, arranged the meeting through a woman who claimed to be the child’s mother but was actually an undercover agent. The woman agreed to bring her daughter to the motel to meet Ponterio. After his arrest, it was discovered Ponterio was in possession of marijuana, cough syrup, a stuffed animal, chocolate candy and a sex toy.
Police also raided Ponterio’s home and found weapons, drugs and a collection of digital images that indicated his sexual interest in children. It is not known if Ponterio has any other arrests or convictions regarding his activity.
In the motel case, Ponterio faces charges of using electronic means to procure children for sex, prostitution, forcible sexual penetration with an object, sexual intercourse with a child under age 13, carrying a concealed weapon and selling marijuana. If convicted of all charges, Ponterio could spend the rest of his life in prison.