On Nov. 2, an Alameda man was arrested who was alleged to have had online interactions with minors, according to a report from the Alameda Police Department (APD).

According to the report, some of these interactions included the sharing of explicit content and the maintaining of inappropriate online relations. APD officers arrested the Alameda resident at his place of employment on the 5600 Block of Hollis Street in Emeryville. According to the APD Daily Activity Log, the suspect is 50-year-old David Baldwin Carlson.

Carlson’s arrest is the culmination of a months-long investigation that was sparked by an alert from a non-profit organization. In June, the Wolf Project Inc., an organization focused on fighting child sex trafficking, sexual abuse, and sextortion, alerted APD about Carlson’s actions. Over the course of several months, APD conducted an exhaustive investigation with the goal of reducing the harm committed by Carlson.

Carlson was charged with California Penal Code 288.2(A)-664-F: attempted harmful matter sent with intent to seduce a minor. According to the California Legislative Information database, “if the matter used by the person is harmful matter but does not include a depiction or depictions of a minor or minors engaged in sexual conduct, the offense is punishable by imprisonment in a county jail not exceeding one year, or by imprisonment in the state prison for 16 months, or two or three years.” APD did not disclose what harmful material was sent by Carlson.

Carlson is currently being held at Santa Rita jail in Dublin on $50,000 bail as of Tuesday, Nov. 7. His arraignment is scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 14, at the Wiley W. Manuel Courthouse in Oakland.

As of now, APD has identified several of the users he was in communication with. APD said the investigation remains ongoing. APD wanted to make sure parents become aware of who their children interact with online.

“This incident underscores the importance of parental supervision when it comes to monitoring online activities,” stated APD. “APD encourages parents and guardians to engage in conversations with their children about online safety and the potential risks, and to take advantage of security and monitoring features that can help safeguard young individuals from online threats.”

To learn more about the Wolf Project, Inc., visit www.thewolfprojectinc.com.