On January 4, 2016, Police Detectives were contacted by the Plainview Police Department in Connecticut in reference to an incident of child molestation (middle school aged) that recently occurred within the jurisdiction of Canton. Over the last week, Detectives were able to further their investigation and establish a rapport with the unnamed alleged suspect in the case via text message all while posing as the early teenage victim.
Yesterday, Detectives were able to establish a meet location with the suspect who was set to travel to a predetermined area in the city with the pretense of making additional sexual contact with the victim in the case. The twenty-five (25) year old male drove to the meet location later in the afternoon and was subsequently arrested by members of the Criminal Investigation Division / Traffic Division who were staged in the area before the individual’s arrival. The male admitted to his involvement in the criminal activity during a subsequent interview with detectives.
Arrest information:
Mr. Joshua Morgan Howlett, age: 25 of Roswell, Ga. was arrested and charged with Aggravated Child Molestation, Criminal Attempt to commit Child Molestation, Criminal Attempt to commit Statutory Rape, Enticing a Child for Indecent Purposes and Sodomy.
Chief of Police Mark J. Mitchell stated, “I am extremely grateful for the hard work and efforts of our Detectives in this case. Their diligence ensured the arrest of this individual which brings resolution to this criminal act and furthers our efforts to improve the quality of life and safety for the children in our community.”
