An Illinois tattoo artist has been arrested and charged after allegedly sending explicit messages to minors in exchange for tattoos. Mario Davis, the owner of InkCapital at the Shoppes of Grand Prairie in Peoria, faces multiple charges, including grooming, indecent solicitation of a child, and disorderly conduct.
Davis, 40, was taken into custody Tuesday morning after a months-long investigation by Peoria police. The inquiry began in February when a concerned parent reported that their minor child had received explicit messages from Davis. Investigators later confirmed that the messages came from the tattoo artist, leading to the charges.
Authorities also added a charge of disorderly conduct after Davis reportedly filed a false police report during the investigation.
This is not the first time Davis has faced accusations related to inappropriate conduct. In a prior case, a woman alleged that when she was 15 years old, she sought a tattoo from Davis because he did not require parental consent for minors. However, she claims that the situation escalated when Davis allegedly coerced her into sexual activity. Years later, the woman said Davis allegedly reached out to her via a fake social media profile, asking for sexual favors in exchange for tattoo work.
Police have not yet disclosed further details about the most recent charges, but they have confirmed that the allegations align with previous reports against Davis. The investigation is ongoing.
Related topics: