Hope Man Arrested In Pike County

MURFREESBORO – A 62-year-old Hope man was arrested Sunday after he allegedly attempted to meet up with what he thought was a 14-year-old girl for sex. According to an affidavit filed by Pike County Sheriff’s Investigator Jason McDonald, an undercover social media account maintained by the office that purports to be from a teenage girl allegedly received a message from a 62-year-old Hope man who stated that he wanted to meet up with the “girl” for immoral purposes. The first contact was made in May and continued for the next few months with the suspect allegedly sending a lewd photo. Finally, on Sunday, the suspect, identified as Ronnie Rusher, 62, of Hope, allegedly arranged to meet the “girl” in Murfreesboro and it was agreed he would transport her back to his residence for immoral purposes. At the designated meeting site, Rusher was greeted by a welcoming party of police officers who took him into custody without incident. He is charged with Internet Stalking of a Child, a Class Y Felony.