OPD Undercover: Auburn Man Arrested for Allegedly Soliciting Child for Sex

OPELIKA, Ala. (WRBL) – Details of an Opelika Police Department sting operation highlight the dangers children face on social media and the internet. Scott Morgan Kral, 61, of Auburn, is charged with traveling to meet a child for an unlawful sexual act, electronic solicitation of a child and enticement of a child for immoral purposes. Karl is being held at the Lee County Detention Center without bail.

We would like to warn our readers that these allegations are graphic and disturbing.

Opelika investigators say that in June 2024, they began investigating a report of a suspicious incident involving a minor. According to the court filing on Monday, July 1, detectives contacted Kral along Park Road. Detectives say they communicated with Kral covertly, posing as a 14-year-old girl. Kral was assigned Park Road as a location to meet and pick up the teen. Investigators say that beginning on June 27, Kral exchanged sexually explicit messages with the undercover detectives indicating that he wanted to perform oral sex on the girl as well as have unprotected sex with her. Kral allegedly invited the teen to his home and told her that he planned to impregnate her and later marry her. Investigators say Karl also requested nude photos of the teen and asked her to perform sexual acts.

When detectives transported Kral to the Opelika Police Department, investigators say Kral admitted to the listed offenses and said he almost avoided meeting the girl because he knew it was wrong.

This case is still under investigation and additional charges are pending. If you have any information, please contact the Opelika Detective Division at (334) 705-5220 or the Secret Witness Hotline at (334) 745-8665. You may remain anonymous.