The ditty referred to in Marshall Tucker Band’s “Heard It in a Love Song” would likely not include sentiments conveyed in a text message conversation which led to an arrest in Waterloo for suspected sex crimes last Wednesday night. 

In fact, a fair amount of graphic language is omitted from an online video documenting the arrest of Nickolas L. Thompson, 32, formerly of O’Fallon – although the 1970s Southern rock hit can be heard clearly over the speakers at 409 State Route 3, a Moto Mart gas station and convenience store. 

Charges of traveling to meet a minor, indecent solicitation (aggravated criminal sexual abuse), soliciting to meet a child and grooming were filed against Thompson on Thursday in Monroe County Circuit Court. 

The first two charges are Class 3 felonies, with the other two being Class 4 felonies.

Thompson, whose current address is listed as Olympia, Wash., is alleged to have “knowingly discussed, by means of the Internet” an act constituting “aggravated criminal sexual abuse… with a person whom (Thompson) believes to be a child.”

The charges also allege Thompson traveled to meet a child with the intent to commit such an act.

A short video shared Wednesday – just under three minutes – was shared on Facebook by the Online Predator Intervention group showing Waterloo Police Department officers questioning and subsequently arresting Thompson.

The recorded conversations reveal Thompson believed he would be meeting “Summer,” a fictitious 13-year-old girl who had recently shared she was nearing her 14th birthday.

A full-length video posted to YouTube showing Thompson’s arrest – just over 27 minutes – was later shared.

When initially confronted by WPD officer Justin Braun, Thompson denies knowing anyone named Summer in addition to denying and any personal information, such as his name.

WPD Sgt. David Midkiff then begins questioning Thompson while the OPI group member gives Braun a summary of a text conversation between Thompson and “Summer.” 

The OPI representative then describes “probable cause” information he and the group have documented to ensure Thompson’s arrest. Proof of Thompson’s intentions is discussed in the full video posted to the OPI YouTube channel on Thursday. The video also includes screenshots of the text conversation beween Thompson and who he thought was a 13-year-old girl. Thompson first contacted “Summer” through the “meetme”
 app prior to the cell phone text conversation, in which Thompson asks “Summer” to send nude photos and describes graphic and somewhat violent sex acts he plans on performing once they meet.

Thompson pled not guilty during an arraignment hearing Friday in Monroe County Court. Thompson’s pretrial release hearing was continued until Monday. 

During the Dec. 8 hearing, the pretrial hearing was once again continued to allow Dr. Daniel Cuneo to perform a psychological evaluation, after which the Illinois Sex Offender Management Board will review the case and evaluate Thompson’s danger to the community.

The sex sting last Wednesday was the second such episode in as many months – with a similar incident occurring within 100 feet of Thompson’s arrest. 

The OPI team worked with the WPD in late October, leading to the arrest of Waterloo native Andrew M. Wagner, 28, on similar charges at the same Moto Mart.  

Wagner returned to Monroe County Court on Monday following completion of a psychological evaluation.

Wagner was granted pretrial release with conditions he adhere to GPS monitoring requirements and observe a daily curfew between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m.

A status hearing for Wagner is set for Feb. 16.

Meanwhile, Thompson is scheduled to be in court Dec. 23.

The OPI sting last Wednesday did not go as smoothly as it did during Wagner’s arrest.

In the YouTube video of Thompson’s arrest, the OPI member and Braun discuss the moments prior to approaching Thomas, with Braun explaining he did not realize who the OPI member was – only that there was a man running toward his police vehicle.

As Braun begins to approach Thompson’s vehicle, he instructs the OPI member to move away from the scene, although Braun is able to get clarification later after Midkiff begins speaking with Thompson.  

OPI is a private, civilian group which seemingly acts separately from official law enforcement departments, contacting local authorities once an in-person meeting with a suspected sexual predator has been arranged.

The group has performed similar stings throughout the country, focusing on Southwest Illinois in the past months, resulting in more than a dozen similar arrests in surrounding counties..

This is the second such arrest in Waterloo initiated by the Facebook page in less than two months, with both incidents taking place outside of Moto Mart, 409 State Route 3.