Registered sex offender arrested in sting operation

Cleveland Police arrest registered sex offender Jonathan Francis.
Cleveland Police arrest registered sex offender Jonathan Francis.
photo Cleveland Police arrest registered sex offender Jonathan Francis.

Cleveland, Tenn., police arrested a 47-year-old registered sex offender Wednesday morning in an undercover sting after he showed up expecting to meet a 13-year-old boy for sex, according to authorities.

The meeting was actually set up by Detective Cody Hinson. Investigators were waiting for Jonathan Francis, aka Stacy Tray Grimsley, when he arrived around 9:30 a.m.

Francis, of Hixson, was arrested and charged with solicitation of a minor.

He was convicted of criminal sexual conduct as well as assault with intent to commit a rape or sexual battery in 1993, according to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation.

Francis is classified as an active, violent sex offender, according to the TBI.

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