A British man is being held on $1.5-million bail at the Lane County Jail for allegedly raping a 10-year-old girl in Eugene after meeting her online.
22-year-old Gareth Hall of Wales was arrested May 2nd at Chicago O'Hare International Airport when he tried to reenter the United States. A warrant had been issued for his arrest after Eugene Police investigated a trip the man made to Eugene in mid-April.
Eugene Police detective Jed McGuire said Hall had been communicating with a 10-year-old girl in Eugene for several months online before travelling to Oregon to meet her.
McGuire: "He had made specific plans to travel to the Eugene area via international flights and using a rental car, made it to Eugene. Upon here, he stayed at several hotels and engaged with the minor female at the hotel."
Detective McGuire says a parent notified police after the daughter revealed some details. He's reminding parents and guardians to monitor their children's online activity.