Officer tagged in internet sex sting

BOISE, Idaho (AP) -- An Air Force officer was among 10 men arrested this week in an internet sex sting by Ada County detectives.

Maj. Perry D. Morrison, 37, is accused of trying to solicit sex from a teenager through an online chat room and making arrangements to meet the teen.

He was arrested Wednesday at the location where he allegedly made arrangements to meet the teen.

Morrison is in charge of a maintenance squadron in the 366th Fighter Wing at Mountain Home Air Force Base.

He was arraigned last Thursday on a charge of enticing a minor over the Internet, which carries a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison.

Morrison was released from the Ada County Jail after posting bond Thursday afternoon. He will continue to command his squadron of several hundred airmen until Air Force officials review the case, said Maj. Kelley Thibodeau, public affairs officer for the Mountain Home Air Force Base.

"Of course, with the justice system, everyone is innocent until proven guilty,'' she said. "We take this very seriously and will review the allegations.''

The Ada County Sheriff's office began its latest operation June 14. Detectives presented themselves in chat rooms as teenagers but offered little other information.

Numerous Treasure Valley men responded by soliciting the fake teens, Ada County Undersheriff Gary Raney said.

Raney announced nine arrests in the sting Wednesday afternoon. Deputies arrested Morrison several hours later.

"The essence of his crime is exactly the same as the previous nine we have arrested,'' Raney said Thursday.

More arrests in the operation could be forthcoming, he said.