The episode opens with Chris Hansen introducing the Polk County, Florida sting operation, explaining that law enforcement has set up a decoy scenario to catch men attempting to meet underage girls for sexual purposes. Detectives pose as minors online, communicating with suspects who believe they are arranging to meet a child for sex. The focus quickly shifts to Larry William Hayes, a man who has been communicating with what he believes is a 15-year-old girl named "Alyssa" through online messaging.

Larry exchanges increasingly explicit messages with "Alyssa," expressing his desire to meet her in person and discussing sexual acts. He repeatedly asks for her age, and she confirms she is 15. Larry continues to pursue the meeting, showing eagerness and making plans to travel to the designated location. He asks for specific directions and confirms he will bring money, indicating his intention to pay for sex.

On the day of the planned meeting, Larry arrives at the sting location, a hotel room set up by law enforcement. He is greeted by a detective posing as "Alyssa's" stepfather, who is seated in the room. Larry enters confidently, looking around and immediately asking where "Alyssa" is. The detective tells him she is not there yet and asks Larry why he is there. Larry explains that he came to meet "Alyssa" for sex, stating he brought money and is ready to proceed.

The detective presses Larry for details, asking him about his intentions and what he planned to do with the girl. Larry admits he wanted to have sex with her, saying he would "take care of her" and that he brought $260 in cash. He lays the money on the table and hands over the room key he was given. The detective takes the cash and walks out the back, signaling to law enforcement that the sting is complete.

Immediately, deputies rush into the room and confront Larry. They order him to keep his hands visible and back away from the detective. Larry appears surprised but does not resist as he is quickly subdued and handcuffed. Deputies search him for weapons and secure him for transport. Larry remains mostly silent during the arrest, showing little emotion as he is led out of the room.

Outside, deputies search Larry's vehicle, finding nothing of immediate concern. Chris Hansen interviews the detective who posed as the stepfather, asking about his experience confronting Larry. The detective describes Larry as nervous but cold, noting that when he pleaded with Larry not to hurt his daughter, Larry responded only with "I will take care of her" and showed no remorse or empathy.

Larry is transported to the Polk County Sheriff's Office, where he is processed and booked. Chris Hansen provides context about the investigation, explaining that Larry's online messages and actions clearly demonstrated his intent to meet and have sex with a minor. The episode ends with Larry in custody, facing serious criminal charges for attempting to solicit sex from a minor.

Larry Hayes claimed to have a good excuse for why he showed up during the Polk County, FL investigation, but the details of his excuse are not fully elaborated in the sources. However, it is noted that he thought he had a good reason for being there when confronted by Chris Hansen and law enforcement.

When confronted by the detective posing as the stepdad, Larry Hayes appeared very nervous but showed no genuine emotion or feeling. He coldly responded to pleas not to hurt the underage girl by saying, 'I will take care of her,' without any visible empathy or remorse.

Larry Hayes handed the detective cash (around $250-$260) for the room, but did not have change. He laid the money on the table and the detective took the cash and walked out the back, handing over the room key in the process.

After Larry Hayes was caught, deputies quickly secured him, searched him for weapons, and prepared him for transport. They also searched his vehicle as part of the investigation.

Chris Hansen led the investigation in Polk County, Florida, confronting Larry Hayes as part of the sting operation. Hansen's role was to expose the alleged predator and document the encounter as part of the Takedown series.