Man accused of using app to solicit minor for sexual activity

ST. JOSEPH COUNTY, Ind. - A man was arrested after he allegedly tried to solicit a minor using the app "Grindr," according to the probable cause affidavit.

Alex Holewczynski, 33, was arrested on one count of child solicitation.

On January 3, officers with the South Bend Police Department were called to the 1100 block of E. Dayton St. for a report that a man was trying to solicit a child to engage in sexual activity, according to reports.

At the scene, officers met two people who said they're with a group who try to stop adults from sexually assaulting children.

They pointed out Holewczynski and said they connected with him on the app, Grindr, under an alias.

According to reports, people generally use Grindr to meet up with others to engage in sexual activity.

Holewczynski told the group's alias, "Aliyah" he was 24 years and "Aliyah" said she would be turning 15 in February, according to reports.

Holewczynski asked "Aliyah" if she was okay with talking to someone twice her age and then asked if she wanted to engage in sexual activity, police reported.

"Aliyah" agreed and Holewczynski asked her to meet at his residence, reports said.

Two members of the group went to Holewczynski's residence and confronted him about the situation.

Holewczynski allegedly admitted he was looking to "fool around" with the person he was speaking to on the app and said he knew "Aliyah" was 14 years old, according to police reports.

He told police he didn't want to go to jail because he knew he "had done something stupid," reports said.

Holewczynski allegedly admitted to soliciting a minor on Grindr an hour before.