Dangerous sexual predator found on popular app

Authorities say parents need to keep a very close eye on what mobile apps their children are using after an alleged sexual predator from Biloxi’s arrest. Police say the messenger app the Biloxi man had a profile on is not an uncommon gateway for dangerous pedophiles.
Forty-three year-old Kristopher Thomas of Biloxi is behind bars. Police say he was arrested before completing his plans to have sexual intercourse with a 13-year-old girl, that’s how old Gulfport mother Analyn O’Dell’s daughter is. “Distributed with this situation. I want my child to be safe.”
According to authorities, Thomas has a past with having sexual relations with minors, first meeting them online and using popular mobile apps to message kids on. O’Dell says she’s very familiar with the dangers of apps that allow users to message through. “I keep telling her not to communicate with strangers that you don’t know. Only friends and some classmates, but I have to know who they are.”
Undercover investigators found Thomas’ profile on well-known social app Kik messenger. Joey Payne with Biloxi PD said, “A lot of predators use that app and a lot of people use this app for their sexting.”
When you install cellular apps like Kik, the application asks for private information, creating an easier situation for predators to target kids. “All they see is this fun app that they’re talking to someone with. They don’t realize how dangerous this person is on the other side,” said Payne.
Biloxi police say the risk factors are not just social apps. “Pay attention to the games they play. A lot of the games have texting within the game and a lot of these predators know kids are playing these games.”
So what can you do to make sure your kid is staying safe when using apps on their phone? Well, police say always be aware of who your child is messaging. If they are messaging someone dangerous, there are some signs to look out for. “They shut it down real quick when you walk by. They turn it so you can’t see it or if they’re starting to become withdrawn and all of a sudden everything is about that social app, you really need to research it,” said Payne.
Thomas is set to appear in court October 16th.