Cop Charged With Propositioning 15-Year-Old Boy

A lengthy sex sting operation has led to the arrest of a decorated Philadelphia Police officer.

Adrian Makuch, 49, was arrested and charged with prostitution, solicitation, corruption of a minor and related offenses after he allegedly propositioned a 15-year old boy for sexual contact, police said.

Authorities believe the Crime Scene Unit officer approached the unidentified teen in Northeast Philly back during the summer of 2008 and asked if he could take naked pictures of the boy in exchange for cash. No physical contact occurred and the teen didn't notify authorities, police said.

The boy again saw the man driving around his neighborhood in September 2008, according to investigators. However, it wasn't until three months later -- December 2008 -- that he went to police with a license plate number to the officer's silver Honda.

Police then launched a long and confidential investigation and later conducted a sting operation after which Makuch was arrested and charged.

"I think this shows the police department's ability to police ourselves," Chief Inspector Anthony DiLacqua said during a press conference Wednesday.

During the sting, the officer solicited an undercover officer posing as a 17-year old using the same method as before, police said.

Makuch, a 21-year veteran, was honored in an award ceremony in October, where he was recognized with other officers for their assistance in the Hobbs Act Robbery investigation following the violent armed robbery of the Henry Avenue Pharmacy on Jan. 13, 2007, in which the pharmacist was shot.

The officer has been suspended with intent to dismiss. He was unavailable for comment.

Contact Us