Police: Hartford City man's encounter with 'Predator Catchers' turned violent

HARTFORD CITY, Ind. — Hartford City police say a local man believed he was communicating online with a 14-year-old girl when he was actually exchanging messages with a "Predator Catchers" organization.

Members of that group on the evening of May 24 called police to a Hartford City convenience store, where they said 25-year-old Tyler Wyatt Selig had arrived anticipating an encounter with the juvenile.

According to an affidavit, Selig and "Predator Catchers" members posing as the girl had a "very heated sexual conversation" prior to his arrival.

A city officer reported he broke up an "altercation" between Selig and the group that appeared to be instigated by the Hartford City man.

The officer said Selig resisted his efforts to pull him away from the other man. The officer suffered possible elbow and back injuries in the struggle.

The affidavit indicated Selig was taken into custody after another officer arrived at the scene, and the Hartford City man was told a stun gun would be used if he did not surrender.

In recent days, Selig was charged with child solicitation, a Level 4 felony carrying up to 12 years in prison, and resisting law enforcement, a Level 6 felony with a maximum 30-month sentence, in Blackford Circuit Court.

According to court records, Selig, a former Fort Wayne resident, has been convicted of crimes including auto theft, carrying a handgun without a license, escape, forgery, fraud and theft.

Douglas Walker is a news reporter at The Star Press. Contact him at 765-213-5851 or at dwalker@muncie.gannett.com.