Four in custody as Operation 17:2 works in Cape Girardeau

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (KBSI) — A private group working to identify people it suspects of seeking sexual contact with minors has drawn attention across Cape Girardeau after police say four people were taken into custody during roughly a one- to two-week period.

Operation 17:2 operates independently from the Cape Girardeau Police Department and provides information it gathers to law enforcement.

Cape Girardeau police say the group does not make arrests. Officers must still conduct their own investigation and determine whether probable cause exists.

“It’s a standalone organization,” Cape Girardeau Police Department Public Information Officer Bobby Newton said. “Again, it’s no different than somebody contacting us or reporting any other crime.”

Newton said officers review the information provided, compare it with applicable law and independently investigate before making an arrest.

“We still have to go out and conduct our own investigation on what they have, the information they provide to us,” Newton said. “We take the information that they provide us, make sure that it aligns with the law, and there’s probable cause that exists to arrest that individual.”

Newton says four men were taken into custody:

Collier Graham, 33, was booked Aug. 12 and charged with enticement or attempted enticement of a child younger than 15. His bond was set at $25,000.

Shamal Polk, 30, was booked Aug. 17 and charged with enticement or attempted enticement of a child younger than 15 and resisting or interfering with an arrest for a felony. Polk was also charged for driving while revoked or suspended, failure to maintain financial responsibility, speeding and failing to properly secure a child younger than 16 in a vehicle. His bond was set at $50,300.

Aiden Licker, 19, was booked Aug. 14 and charged with first-degree sexual misconduct involving a child younger than 15. His bond was set at $50,000.

Richard Coen, 37, was booked Aug. 17 and charged with enticement or attempted enticement of a child younger than 15. His bond was set at $25,000. Booking records show he was released Aug. 18.

The cases have also generated strong reaction from people in the community.

One local mother who spoke with FOX23 said she followed Operation 17:2 founder Garrett Gross before he came to Cape Girardeau.

“I love having him here,” she said. “I followed him on Facebook before he ever came to Cape, and seeing him in Cape blew my mind.”

She said the arrests are reassuring, but also concerning as a parent.

“It’s wonderful knowing that they’re getting caught,” she said. “It’s also scary knowing how many are out there and how many aren’t getting caught. So being a mom or dad right now, it’s scary.”

As attention around the group grows, police are warning people not to try to conduct similar confrontations or investigations themselves.

“There’s definitely a safety concern that goes into that,” Newton said. “You don’t know what type of person you’re approaching, what type of individual you’re dealing with.”

Newton said anyone who comes across suspected child exploitation or another possible crime should contact law enforcement and provide the information they have.

“We have investigators and law enforcement officers that are trained in these investigations,” Newton said. “The more information you can provide us, the better.”

The local mother who spoke with FOX23 said people who want to help protect children can also find ways to contribute without putting themselves in the middle of an investigation.

She said she and her family donate monthly to the Tim Tebow Foundation, an organization she supports because of its work involving vulnerable children.

Her comments offered another option for people who feel strongly about the issue but do not have the training to investigate suspected crimes themselves.

Newton encouraged parents and guardians to know which apps their children are downloading, which online platforms they use and who they are communicating with.