CLEVELAND COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE

CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS DETACHMENT

Case Number: 2022-02180

Offense: Soliciting Sexual Conduct or Communication with a Minor by use

of Technology, Solicitation of Child Pornography and Lewd Acts
with a Minor Child Under the Age of Sixteen

Victim: State of Oklahoma

Suspect: Richie Thao

Assigned Detective: E. Bridges 2144

Notification:
During the course of an online undercover investigation multiple personas were created in an attempt to
locate, identify and arrest sexual predators.

Investigation:
On June 24, 2022 I, Deputy E. Bridges was in communication with Richie Thao (DOB: 9/19/1992) posing as a
fourteen year old female communicating through a known website used for casual sexual encounters. This contact
stemmed from an investigation into sexual predators using telecommunication devices to solicit sexual conduct with
minors.

The conversation started via email in response to a post made on DoubleList.com with the UC profile initiating
contact. The conversation highlights are as follows between Richie and myself posing as Lexi, including spelling
and grammatical errors:

For the full transcript see the screenshots of the messages that are attached.

On August 10, 2022 at 0958 hours we observed a grey Toyota Camry with a crack in the front windshield and an
Oklahoma plate bearing KVT294, pull into the parking lot of Velvet Taco located at 1440 W. Lindsey St. Prior in the
conversation Richie sent a photograph of the front of his vehicle showing the crack in his windshield and a selfie of
him in a grey t-shirt with some type of black, cursive lettering above what appeared to be a pocket. When Richie
arrived at the specified meet-up location he was in a grey t-shirt with black cursive lettering above a pocket.

At approximately 1000 hours Richie was taken into custody for the charges of Lewd Acts with a Minor Child Under
the age of Sixteen (21 OS 1123) and soliciting sexual conduct or communication with minor by use of technology
(21 OS 1040.13a) and Obscene material or child pornography – solicitation of minors (21 OS 21-1021). Richie was
then booked into the Cleveland County Detention Center.

Detective Smith, Detective Locke and I then interviewed Richie at the Cleveland County Detention Center. Richie
was read his Miranda Rights and agreed to speak to us about the incident. Richie admitted to sending the sexually
explicit messages to whom he believed to be a fourteen year old minor child along with a photograph of male
genitalia. Richie further stated that the photograph was one he found online and not his penis but admitted that doing
so was wrong. After the interview Richie was left in the care and custody of the Cleveland County Detention Center
staff without further incident.

111. North Peters Suite 600 🖙 Norman, OK 73069 🖙 (405) 760-5391 🖙

Case Disposition:
Richie was arrested on scene at 1440 W. Lindsey St. Additional investigative supplements to follow.

Attachments:
1. Watchguard Body Worn Camera System
2. Screenshots of chat logs

Case Disposition Code- 11 Arrest Made

///Nothing of Report Follows///

_______________________
Deputy Elizabeth Bridges
Cleveland County Sheriff Office
Norman, OK
Telephone: (405) 701-8888

111. North Peters Suite 600 🖙 Norman, OK 73069 🖙 (405) 760-5391 🖙