Washington state detectives claim that a man arrested for allegedly raping a 12-year-old girl admitted that he sought out the girl through Whisper, a meeting app that encourages users to post secrets.

Ronald Peterson III, 21, of Lynwood, Wash., told detectives he used Whisper to communicate with the underage girl, Seattle Fox affiliate Q13 reported earlier this month. Their online relationship reportedly began in September, when Peterson started messaging with the girl. He claimed he was 21 years old, and she said she was 14, according to police.

Peterson eventually convinced the girl to meet him, and she snuck out of her home to join him at a Lynwood hotel.

Lake Forest Park Police Chief Stephen Sutton said Whisper can be a tool for sexual predators since users can post their location and opine on everything from adultery to alcohol, Seattle CBS affiliate KIRO reported.

"This one is problematic because it shotguns information out and identifies a certain area that you are in,” Sutton told the station.

The alleged rape rattled the neighborhood where the 12-year-old girl lives.

“I’m kind of shocked,” neighbor Richard Whipple told KIRO. “Around here, those things don’t happen.”

Peterson, who doesn’t have a prior criminal record, was arrested and taken to the Snohomish County Jail on suspicion of rape charges. He was later charged with luring and communicating with a minor for immoral purposes, according to Q13.

Prosecutors wanted Peterson’s bail set at $100,000, claiming the alleged rapist “is a substantial danger to commit a violent offense or otherwise interfere with the administration of justice,” the Fox affiliate reported.

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